Debbie Wiseman OBE unveiled as official composer of The Victorian Pageant at Royal Windsor Horse Show
DEBBIE WISEMAN OBE UNVEILED AS OFFICIAL COMPOSER OF THE VICTORIAN PAGEANT AT ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW – AN EQUESTRIAN AND MUSICAL FEAST OF ENTERTAINMENT THAT CELEBRATES THE BIRTH AND LIFE OF QUEEN VICTORIA
The Pageant at Royal Windsor Horse Show is delighted to announce that Debbie Wiseman OBE will compose the music for the prestigious event taking place on the evenings of 9, 10 & 11 May 2019. The renowned British score writer will draw on her wealth of experience within the music industry to create a composition that will perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the Victorian era. Wiseman’s selection of music will range from much-loved classics from Oliver Twist and the Music Hall, to new compositions written specifically for the show. Spectators can expect to enjoy a fun-filled evening full of classic singalongs, performed by the exceptionally talented National Symphony Orchestra, who have recorded the composition exclusively for the show.
Staged by a BAFTA award-winning team in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, The Pageant will commemorate the life of Queen Victoria, as 2019 marks the 200-year anniversary of her birth. Bringing together memorable and exciting events from this golden age of discovery in celebratory fashion, the show will encompass everything from Gilbert & Sullivan, Charles Dickens, the Industrial Revolution, and British military heritage, including the Crimean War and The Great Game.
Speaking about her role in The Pageant, Wiseman said: “I am delighted to have been handed this most enjoyable task of writing and gathering together the music for this celebration of the era of Queen Victoria, working once again with the highly skilled production team, and I am privileged to present it at The Pageant.”
Having worked with the same team for The Diamond Jubilee Pageant and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration in 2012 and 2016 respectively, Wiseman has experience writing for the stage, as well as accumulating a host of awards in her career for work on film and television scores, ensuring she is the perfect person for the task.
Show Director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “Being able to attract a great name in the music industry, such as Debbie Wiseman is testament to The Pageant’s appeal and charm, not just within the equestrian community, but also the wider public, and we very much look forward to working with her over the coming weeks.”
The show’s impressive musical accompaniment will also feature Capital Voices directed by Annie Skates, and The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, performing the Eightsome Reel conducted and arranged by John Mason MBE.
British actor, writer and director, Simon Callow CBE will narrate the show alongside gardener, presenter and novelist, Alan Titchmarsh MBE, while an Academy Award-winning actress will expertly provide the voiceover for Queen Victoria. Stand-out equestrian displays taking part will include The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment; The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery; The Dubai Mounted Police and its 40-horse Musical Ride, the Dubai Police Pipe Band; The Hungarian Csikós; stunt riders from Azerbaijan; and the Oman Royal Cavalry trick ride.
Tickets for The Pageant are on sale now and visitors may purchase them online at www.windsorpageant.co.uk or via the box office on 0844 581 0755. Local Windsor residents may purchase their tickets at Windsor Information Centre located in Windsor Royal Shopping or by telephone on 01753 743 589.
The Pageant
The 2019 Pageant at Royal Windsor Horse Show will be taking place on the evenings of 9, 10 & 11 May 2019. This joins The Pageant Series at Royal Windsor, which over the years has included All The Queen’s Horses (2002); Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo (2008 to 2011); The Diamond Jubilee Pageant (2012); and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration (2016). The 2019 show marks 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria and will portray memorable events from the Victorian era, using 600 participants and over 400 horses. The Pageant is a not-for-profit event, with any surplus donated to charitable causes. The event, which takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, is organised by Windsor Equestrian Promotions Ltd, a part of HPower Group, also organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show and Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.
Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Show will take place from 8-12 May 2019. Over 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show which offers its audience an extensive programme of first-class equestrian competition and performances in five arenas. The displays in the main Castle Arena include The Musical Ride of The Household Calvary Mounted Regiment, The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop RHA, The DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Land Rover Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 220 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of goods for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. Her Majesty The Queen has attended every year since the Show started in 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by Windsor Equestrian Promotions Ltd, as part of HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.
