Funded by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is marking its 251st birthday on Friday 13 October by inviting the Cambridge-based Academy of Ancient Music to play music from the 18th century.
The orchestra, with instruments from the period, will play work by composers including Mozart, who was already famous and on tour in Europe, aged ten, when Addenbrooke’s opened its doors in 1766.
Pop-up performances will take place across Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie. The musicians will also visit wards to take part in the hospital’s Dance for Health programme, which are sessions that encourage movement as a way of improving health.
Musician Jo Lawrence said: “Most people agree that Mozart was one of the greatest composers ever, but he was also a real character.
“He often played pranks on his friends and tricks with his music. There may be a few moments of magic in our programme, too.
“The horn evolved from a real cow horn into Mozart’s colourful and valveless instrument, which really is a metal hosepipe! When we are at the hospital, my fellow musician Gavin will show us how it works!”
Damian Hebron, Head of Addenbrooke’s Arts, said: “Over the day the musicians will play all over the hospital spending time in different places.
“I’m looking forward to them joining our dance sessions, which helps older patients get out of bed and get moving again. The sessions take place on wards and the combination of patients moving to beautiful music played on ancient instruments is going to be fantastic.”
Last month CUH welcomed an “emergency poet” and her poemedics as part of National Poetry Day. She dished out poetry prescriptions to cheer up patients, visitors and staff.