Immersive music & poetry: cello (Elgar, Casals) in the burial chamber, folk & Bach in the chapel, poetry in the longhouse.
Hougue Bie Festival: Music and Poetry
An immersive experience of music and poetry. For one magical evening, the ancient Neolithic mound comes alive. Hear the cello playing Elgar and Casals in the burial chamber, folk music, Bach in the chapel above, and poetry in the longhouse.
Concert goers will rotate through 3 performances between the Chapel on top of the mound, the Neolithic passage grave below, one of the ten oldest buildings in the world, to the longhouse. In the Chapel, violinist Harriet Mackenzie performs Bach’s Sonata in E minor, accompanied by David Gordon on the harpsichord.
In the ancient passage grave, the cello takes centre stage. Solo works continue Bach’s legacy: selected movements from the Cello Suites, Pablo Casals’ Song of the Birds, and Elgar’s Salut d’Amour, offered in homage to Jacqueline du Pré, whose paternal roots in Jersey lend particular resonance to this tribute. Poetry is recited in the longhouse. The poetry element will feature a selection of readings shared by both Springfield pupils and guest Michelle Le Herissier. Poetry readings by both Springfield pupils and guest Michelle Le Herissier, featuring texts specially written for the occasion, inspired by the music performed at the event.
Performed by Harriet Mackenzie, Urška Horvat and David Gordon, the evening promises a stunning interactive experience from 7:30pm.
For those who are unable to climb up to the chapel or crouch low to enter the passage grave there will be a performance of all three sections down below at 5:30pm.
HOW THIS EVENT WORKS
Audience members can experience this event in one of two ways:
OPTION A — Immersive Rotating Experience
🕖 7:30 – 9pm | Across the site
Three short performances in three different locations
Audience members rotate between spaces
Each group experiences all three performances — only the order changes
You choose your preferred route when booking
The Three Performance Spaces
Chapel (at the top of the mound)
Harriet Mackenzie (violin) and David Gordon (harpsichord)
Bach: Sonata in E majorNeolithic Cave (inside the mound)
Urška Horvat
Intimate solo cello recitalThe Longhouse
Readings and poetry inspired by history, place, and memory
Each performance lasts approximately 20 minutes.
CHOOSING YOUR GROUP (Immersive Experience)
When booking, please select one of the following audience routes:
Group 1: Chapel → Cave → Longhouse
Group 2: Cave → Longhouse → Chapel
Group 3: Longhouse → Chapel → Cave
OPTION B — Complete Seated Concert (Accessible)
🕔 5:30 – 6:45pm | Museum
A single 60-minute seated performance in the museum
Features the same music as the immersive experience
Includes historical context, anecdotes, and stories about La Hougue Bie
Fully accessible and suitable for all audiences
This option is ideal for visitors who prefer a seated concert or require step-free access.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
The 5:30–6:45pm seated concert is fully accessible
Access to the chapel involves a steep uphill path
Access to the cave requires bending low
The immersive experience may not be suitable for all mobility needs
Audience members are kindly asked to assess their own accessibility requirements when booking.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Harriet Mackenzie, Urška Horvat, and David Gordon are three musicians who bring together passion, creativity, and virtuosity. Harriet Mackenzie, internationally acclaimed violinist, combines technical brilliance with profound musical insight, championing both the standard repertoire and over a hundred new works written for her. Award-winning Slovenian cellist Urška Horvat brings a rich tone, a love of chamber music, and a powerful solo presence, performing widely across the UK and Europe. Pianist and harpsichordist David Gordon moves effortlessly between baroque, jazz, and improvisation, always exploring new musical connections. Together, they create a unique and exciting musical experience that blends tradition, innovation, and joy.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Organised in partnership with Société Jersiaise and Jersey Heritage.
All proceeds from this concert will support Music in Action’s Outreach Programmes, which bring inspiring music experiences to schools, care homes, and community settings across Jersey.
🌐 Find out more: musicjersey.com/projects
📧 Help & Info: support@musicjersey.com