Celebrating Hogarth, 1764-2014

St Nicholas Church by the river was packed on 25 October for the commemoration of Hogarth’s death. The Hogarth monument in the churchyard had been dressed with a garland of evergreens and white roses and a spray of flowers was laid by candlelight by Cllr Corinna Smart, the Mayor of Hounslow, in front of a substantial crowd.

In this special “co-production” by the Friends of St Nicholas Church and the William Hogarth Trust, the musicians of Ars Eloquentiae maintained a careful balancing act between their beautiful performance of 18th century pieces that Hogarth would have known and their jolly encouragement of the audience in those pieces where they could take part. Chad Kelly even managed the equivalent of an extended guitar solo in the Thomas Arne Harspichord Concerto no 5!

The programme of readings was led skilfully by James Wisdom and explored many aspects of Hogarth’s life. Rosalind Knight and Lars Tharp read contemporary quotes amusingly and movingly. It was a tremendous evening – thanks to everyone who supported it!