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Best-selling American author, storyteller and inimitable broadcaster Garrison Keillor joined CLS for two unmissable evenings of words and music at Cadogan Hall on Sat 16th and Sun 17th May.

His legendary tales of Lake Wobegon, its inhabitants and their irresistible Midwest mix of homespun wisdom, wit and charm were woven into a programme of classical pieces, together with works specially composed and arranged by Bill McGlaughlin.  Mendelssohn's incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream and other favourite Keillor classics were also on the repertoire cards:

"I come across the Atlantic as a Singing Writer, which is like a singing waiter except that I don't stand so close to the customer.  Mark Twain loved to sing but he didn't do it on stage because nobody asked him to.  Had they asked, he would've.  I've been asked and so I shall.  I plan to sing some sonnets and some English verse about summer and flowers and the brevity of life and so forth.  Also, a couple of stories about Lake Wobegon, my hometown, one of which is set to the music of Mendelssohn, thus the orchestra."

Garrison Keillor and Philip Brunelle in rehearsal with CLS

Philip Brunelle, tireless advocate of music for the voice, conducted CLS in an unforgettable evening of words and music:

"Audiences are never disappointed by the marvellous way Garrison weaves stories around the classical repertoire which the orchestra plays - you couldn't ask for a more entertaining and unusual evening."

Garrison Keillor's weekly variety show for Minnesota Public Radio, A Prarie Home Companion, enjoys a cult status in the United States.  The programme, broadcast live from the Fitzgerald Theatre in St Paul, Minnesota, regularly attracts an audience of millions.  Its reach broadened in 2006 with the release of Robert Altman's eponymous film in which Keillor plays himself, in company with a cast of A-list Hollywood stars.  On this side of the Atlantic, listeners to BBC Radio 7 are able to follow the multiple intrigues of Garrison Keillor's Radio Show, complete with all the news from Lake Wobegon.

CLS Chief Exective Barry Kempton:

"We're delighted to be working with Garrison Keillor.  This relationship continues our long and important connection with the human voice.  He can put together music and stories in ways that are utterly unique and totally compelling.  He's extremely musical and loves working with orchestras, so this is a great chance for London audiences to hear a real master at work."