About the Speaker...
During a busy life dedicated to music James Murray has been an opera singer, music retailer, CD producer, speaker, researcher, writer and consultant to academics, opera and theatre companies as well as other musicians and historians. He has given numerous talks to music societies, concert and opera audiences and WI groups, U3A and the WEA. At other times he enjoys working as a ceremony officer in Cornwall, leading and registering at civil wedding ceremonies.
James’s talks range from opera and the composer Emmanuel Chabrier to the golden age of the Broadway and Hollywood musical. He is currently researching the lively musical scene in Germany between the wars whilst writing the first English-language biography of the ‘jazz age’ composer Eduard Künneke. James also recounts tales of his performing career which might go under the heading ‘Great Operatic Disasters’ if that title had not already been taken!
About his Talks...
James requires decent hi-fi equipment and hopefully a willing volunteer to help play the music. In addition, a table and some water plus further tables on which to place display materials and CDs that he hopes to sell. Talks range in length from one hour to a full day course.
Fee:
£40.00 per hour but willing to negotiate for smaller groups of 15 or less. He’s happy to travel throughout the country but if outside the greater SW (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire) a contribution towards petrol expenses would be greatly appreciated.