THERE was scarcely a seat left in the house on the very last occasion of the series of classical concerts which Peter and Sue Sotheran have organised over the past 15 years – described by Peter as “magical years”.

During that time they have produced 125 concerts, with more than 100 musicians ranging from Europe to the Far East, the Americas and Australasia.

Mr Sotheran said it had been a wonderful and somewhat humbling experience that some of the world’s leading musicians, who normally play to audiences numbered in thousands, had been willing to play to audiences numbered in dozens at Kirkleatham.

The performer chosen for this special occasion was a charming classical Spanish guitarist, Guilio Tampalini, obviously a very popular choice, wellknown to the regulars.

He introduced us to his new guitar, “my new baby” he called it. It is a beautiful instrument with a bright, clean, bell-like clarity. He received an enthusiastic welcome and treated us to a brilliant performance.

Tampalini presented a wide selection of classical music for the guitar by Spanish and Latin American composers – Albeniz, Granados, Tarrega, Rodrigo, De Falla, and Aguado. He was applauded to the heights of this beautiful old venue, and ended his recital with an encore (putting his new baby to bed) with a sweet lullaby by Sor.

There was a gala evening atmosphere.

Women in pretty summer dresses and well-dressed men enjoyed a glass of wine on a fine warm evening, mingling on the Almshouses’ lawns.

Mike Lockey, former lead and manager of the Mike Lockey Big Band, proposed a spontaneous vote of thanks to the Sotherans for the great job they had done over the years in bringing fine music and world-class musicians to Kirkleatham.

However, the good news is that the music hasn’t “died”. The couple are even now bringing new young classical artistes to Redcar on the second Wednesday of the month at Tuned In, and from September will be organising lunchtime recitals in Stokesley on a monthly basis.

Irene MacDonald