RICHARD PARR King Lynn Festival event at King's Lynn Arts Centre

RICHARD PARR

One of the joys of King's Lynn Festival is that it offers evenings which prove to be delightful “one-offs”, sending audiences on a wonderful voyage of musical and literary discovery.

This performance on Wednesday proved to be a real treat, giving us a fascinating insight into the eventful, colourful and turbulent relationship between the great Polish composer, Frederick Chopin and the controversial French writer, George Sand.

Renowned pianist and President of the Chopin Society in London, Rose Cholmondeley, a sister of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, of Houghton Hall, near Fakenham, and distinguished actor Charles Grant, together presented this charming programme of words and music.

In the stifling hot theatre, the musician and actor brought to life the highly creative relationship between the daring writer Sand and the famous composer.

The readings, taken from letters written by Sand and Chopin themselves, as well as observations by the couple's contemporaries, were delivered by Mr Grant in faultless diction, while Ms Cholmondeley exquisitely played a selection of eight of Chopin's works .