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Cambridge University Library

 
Charles Darwin with Musical Notes

Classical music has a long association with the artistic and scientific contributions of the Darwin family that continue to inspire composers today. This unique concert includes pieces the Darwin family engaged with and premieres some of those composed about their work.

Starting with the enlightenment polymath Erasmus Darwin, it moves through to his famous grandson, Charles Darwin and his wife Emma Wedgwood before ending on the musical interests of his son, George Howard Darwin, and grandchildren who inhabited Newnham Grange, now Darwin College, at the turn of the twentieth century.

With Paul Warburton, Carola Darwin, Marie-Noëlle Kendall, the Trinity Street Consort and others.

Music composed by John Alcock, Fanny Mendelssohn, David Gahan, Frédéric François Chopin and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Organised by Dr Edwin Rose and Francis Knights.

Doors open at 5.10pm. Concert 5.30-7.30pm. An interval with coffee expected at 6.15pm.


Darwin in Conversation: The Endlessly Curious Life and Letters of Charles Darwin

This event is being hosted as part of Cambridge University Libraries exhibition, Darwin in Conversation: The Endlessly Curious Life and Letters of Charles Darwin (Saturday 9 July-Saturday 3 December). The exhibition is free and open to all. Full details including opening times can be found on the University Library website.


Location: Dining Hall, Darwin College, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EU. Entrance into Darwin College is through the Porter's Lodge on Silver Street. Take the stairs to the right up to the Dining Hall.

Registration: Tickets are free, registration is required. Children welcome but must be accompanied by an adult 18+. BOOK HERE.

Accessibility: The Dining Hall at Darwin College is fully accessible via the main stairs and the disabled lift. Please report to the Porter's Lodge for assistance using the disabled lift.

Date: Saturday 29 October 2022