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| The Victoria - Holkham Estate |
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Holkham Hall
An 18th century country house build in the Palladian style for Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester by the architect William Kent, aided by the architect and aristocrat Lord Burlington. Sir Edward Coke founded the family fortunes in the 16th Century and was one of the most brilliant lawyers of his time. He went to Trinity Cambridge before beginning his training in Inner Temple, London. Thomas Coke developed a passion for the architectural style of Andrea Palladio when he undertook his six year "Grand Tour" under the guidance of his tutor Dr. Hobart of Christ's College, Cambridge. It was on this tour he met the architect, William Kent. Kent was responsible for the external appearance of Holkham; he based his design on Palladio's unbuilt Villa Mocenigo. The Hall does not adhere to the strict Palladio rule of proportion. The great central block is flanked by four smaller, rectangular wings linked to the main house, however these would have been linked by colonnades in keeping with Palladio standards. In contrast with the heavy stone of the exterior, the interior is opulent the "Marble Hall" (the chief building fabric is in fact Derbyshire alabaster) modelled on a Roman basilica. This is where the Chamber Music event was staged. American singer Marianne Cornetti, a leading Verdi mezzo Soprano delivered an emotional performance before leaving for London. She is to sing in Un Ballo in Maschere (a new production of Verdi's tragedy of illicit love, loyalty and betrayal) at Covent Garden Opera House in December. I am now thinking a trip to Italy to view Palladio architecture would be very interesting, especially with a camera. Perhaps it is time to get out my old notes on Italian Renaissance.
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| Holkham Estate |
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| Holkham Estate |
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| Cley Windmill - Norfolk |
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| Cley Windmill - Norfolk |
A weekend away and the rain did not stop play. It was Chamber music in the Marble Hall at Holkham, walking on the beach and through the woods to Wells -next-the-Sea in the rain and an early morning walking on the frosty Holkham Estate. Not to forget, a celebration dinner at Morston Hall owned by chef Galton Blackiston, patron of the Michelin star country house hotel.
http://www.galtonblackiston.com
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