Sir John Eliot Gardiner of Fontmell Magna befriended King Charles after meeting him at a Sandringham celebration. The first twenty minutes of music at the King’s coronation in May will be conducted by a farmer from Dorset who is also internationally known.
The two individuals have a passion for classical music and sustainable agriculture. Sir John Eliot presented two heifers to the King on his 60th birthday.
Last month, Buckingham Palace revealed Sir John Eliot would direct The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists in a pre-service choral music concert at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, May 6th.
Sir John Eliot said:
“He asked me to perform during the first twenty minutes after everyone has arrived and is seated, but before he actually arrives in his carriage.”
“This is a mini-concert prior to the coronation. We have 20 minutes to perform, after which we must immediately vacate the choir seats so that the abbey choir can take our place.
It is a great honor to begin the proceedings with some incredibly exquisite classical music.
Sir John Eliot Gardiner was knighted in the 1998 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his contributions to music, receiving the honor from the then-Prince Charles.
He added that the King had also made three visits to his farm near Fontmell Magna.
He said:
“Since our property near Shaftesbury is on a direct path from Highgrove to Poundbury, he would occasionally stop by.
“I chose to give him a pair of heifers for his 60th birthday because he enjoyed seeing my cattle.
“When he knighted me, he extended his sword and thanked me for the heifers,”
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