Shed Talk – Jacqueline du Pré by her siblings, Hilary and Piers

Jacqueline du Pré is one of the greatest, maybe the greatest, most loved and unusual cellists the world has ever known.

At this month’s Shed Talk, her sister Hilary and brother Piers will give the audience a glimpse into Jackie’s life, from childhood to being at the summit of the musical world, before her performing was so cruelly cut short by the onset of multiple sclerosis.

Hilary says: “To have Jackie as my sister is one of the proudest things I can boast.

“With hindsight, and the realisation that other families lived and behaved differently from ours, I began to understand what it takes to enable a genius to grow and blossom”

Their presentation will also include a selection of video extracts demonstrating Jackie’s amazing talent.

Tonight’s speakers
The eldest of Iris and Derek du Pré’s three children, Hilary was born in 1942, followed by Jacqueline in 1945, and Piers in 1948.

Family life always revolved around music with Iris, Hilary and Jackie performing extensively, whether in concerts, on the radio or television. Iris as a pianist, Jackie as a cellist and Hilary as a flautist and pianist.

In 1993, Hilary and Piers began writing their book about their sister, A Genius in the Family, published in 1997. Two years later, the film, Hilary and Jackie, based on the book, was released.

Tickets £8.50 / Student/Unwaged: £6.50 (Booking fee applies)
On the door £9.50 and £7.50