Description:Owing to their prestigious public status and their variety of social connections, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland were often asked to serve as patrons to musicians and artists.
A letter from Princess Frederica of Prussia in 1842 refers to their patronage of a German musician. The princess writes ‘the kind remembrance you bear to your old friends makes me hope you will likewise have some goodness for persons they recommend’. She refers to ‘one of our best musicians, the Kammer-Musicus Drechster’, adding ‘his instrument is the Violoncello upon which he is master. I have the certain hope that this able and modest artist shall please you & the Duchess’.
Reflecting the high profile social connections of the Leveson-Gower family, the Princess adds ‘if the man is so fortunate to have your approbation, would it not be possible to procure him the honour to execute before her Majesty the Queen, who as I know is very benevolent for German artists’.
On the reverse of the letter is a note from the Duke referring to the Princess’s request. His note states that he ‘mentioned it to the Queen on the 8th’.
As enthusiastic patrons of the arts, the Duke and Duchess made use of their connections in order to assist good causes. This is demonstrated in a printed programme for a charity concert held at Stafford House. The programme reads ‘Programme Grande Matinee Musicale, at Stafford House, For the Benefit of The Polish Refugees’.
The concert was to be held at 2pm on Friday 15th July 1842 and would include music by Rossini and Schubert amongst other composers.