Investec’s event marks the close of the BSO’s 2021/22 Season

Investec helped celebrate the close of the BSO’s season on 11 May 2022 at Lighthouse, Poole, with a special Investec Live Lounge featuring musicians from the Orchestra, as well as a post-concert drop-in by the BSO’s Chief Executive Dougie Scarfe and Head of Concerts & Artistic Planning Heather Duncan, who were joined by Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits and actor Alex Hassell following their performance of Walton’s 'Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario' to a lively and supportive audience.

Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario was based on William Walton’s definitive 1944 film score and narrated by Hassell who won unanimous critical acclaim for his 2015 Royal Shakespeare Company performance of Henry V. The Orchestra also performed Hubert Parry’s I Was Glad, which has become an essential part of the British coronation ceremony since its first inclusion in 1902 at the crowning of Edward VI, and Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest Fantasy Overture for Shakespeare’s supernatural play.

CEO Dougie Scarfe addresses the audience

Investec has been a loyal supporter of the BSO, standing by the Orchestra as it navigated the challenges presented by the emergence of the pandemic. Thanks to this unbroken commitment over the last 9 years and the same collective support gained from BSO’s loyal donors and audiences, the BSO had the confidence to act boldly and innovatively as it pivoted from touring orchestra to livestream broadcaster reaching audiences world-wide. As the business of everyday life returns to something resembling normality, the BSO is delighted to be back on the road and performing live again thanks to Investec’s support.

The Investec Live Lounge hosted a pre-concert performance with BSO Musicians Jesper Svedberg and Eluned Pierce for BSO Patrons, guests of BCP Council and the Chief Executive to celebrate the close of the season with music for cello and harp. Having soaked up the applause on stage, Kirill Karabits and Alex Hassell dropped into the Investec Live Lounge post-concert to spend time with a small group of supporters. The opportunity to spend time in close company with our artistic team, guest artists and Chief Executive, is what makes the BSO Patron experience so very special.

Principal Cello Jesper Svedberg and Principal Harp Eluned Pierce play music for cello and harp

Whilst it might be the end of the BSO’s classical concert season, there’s so much more to enjoy! Excitingly, this summer, Investec will be Experience Sponsor of the Orchestra’s Classical Extravaganza concert at BSO’s Proms in the Park, which returns to Bournemouth’s Meyrick Park following a two year break — the event promises to help audiences celebrate summer in style.

During the event, we were thrilled to hear from Thomas Rich, Senior Investment Director for Investec Wealth & Investment in Bournemouth, who confirmed that Investec will continue its ongoing partnership with the BSO as the 2022/23 Season Sponsor, marking Investec’s 10^th year of supporting the Orchestra. The BSO is enormously grateful to Investec for its extraordinary support, which continues to help us share live music-making with audiences around the world!

Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive of the BSO, said “We’re gearing up to bring this full symphonic season of live music out on the road, reaching more venues throughout the South West as well as viewers at home, as we build on the success of our livestreamed broadcasts from our base in Poole. It promises to be an impressive season featuring some of the most exciting names — and we’re deeply grateful to Investec for coming on board once again as Season Sponsor, marking a decade of support of the BSO’s live music-making.”

We are looking forward to welcoming our audiences back to the concert hall this autumn. To learn more about forthcoming performances click here.