Music of the Enlightenment`

Dalkeith Palace in Dalkeith Country Park

 Saturday 4th October 2025, 16.30-18.30, preview

French 18th century philosopher and composer Jean Jacques Rousseau’s writings inspired the creation of a remarkable Anglo-French landscape garden near Ermenonville in France, the subject of Robin Gillander’s poetic photography on display at Dalkeith Palace in PhotoDalkeith, an exhibition from 29th August to Sunday 5th October.

In his introductory talk, Peter France, former professor of French at Oxford, will explore the final days of Rousseau at Ermenonville.

Rousseau the composer will come to life in concert style, in excerpts from his opera, ‘Le Devin du Village’, juxtaposed with Mozart’s youthful opera, ‘Bastien und Bastienne’, which cleverly mirrors the plot of the great philosopher. The concert will be performed by a starry cast of Brian Bannatyne-Scott (Bass), Magnus Walker (Tenor) and Caroline Taylor (Soprano) with John Kitchen (Fortepiano).

 Enjoy a glass of wine and a chance to tour the PhotoDalkeith exhibition afterwards. Tickets are available now on the Dalkeith Country Park Events website at £25.00pp. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Caroline Taylor

Photo credit: Victoria Cadisch