Regency Soirée in the Georgian House

Join us for an immersive Georgian-inspired experience, including guided historical dance in the beautiful Drawing Room to live music played on the square piano (made in 1802), a special tour of the house and a period dance and music recital. The event is dedicated to Charles Stewart, a musician and dancing master who worked in Edinburgh in the 1800s.

The doors will open at 6 pm, and the entertainment will commence at 6:30 pm. Complimentary historically inspired light refreshment will be offered throughout the evening.

The dress code is 1790 – 1830s (contemporary evening attire with long skirts for ladies or kilts for gentlemen are also acceptable). Changing space will be available for those wishing to wear period costumes.

Who is Charles Stewart?

Charles Stewart (c.1784 – 1818) is a Scottish musician, composer, and dancing teacher. Charles started his career in the field of dance in 1802 as an assistant to David Strange (a popular Edinburgh dancing master between 1764 and 1803). After Strange died in 1803, Stewart taught classes, composed music, and choreographed dances. He gave annual balls at the Georgian Street Assembly Rooms, for which he published musical programmes, one of which is preserved in the Georgian House music book. Charles’ career was interrupted c. 1812, possibly due to mental health problems. Despite such a short working life, Stewart composed and published about 100 dance tunes, including two collections of dance music, A Collection of Strathspey, Reels, Jigs &c., dedicated by Permission to the Right Honourable Lady Mary Hay (Edinburgh, c.1800) and A Collection of Minuets, Cottilions, Allemands, High Dances, Hornpipes &c. Composed and Dedicated to Miss Elizabeth Campbell of Shawfield (Edinburgh, 1805). In addition, several of his sheet music publications survived such as annual ball programmes (1803 – 1806) and Fairies and Morgiana's dance as performed at the Theatre Royal Edinburgh, in the favorite entertainment of the Forty Thieves.

About the team

Matthew Shiel () is an award-winning pianist who graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with the first class honours and several academic and performance prizes, including J.S. Bach Competition Prize for Piano, Harpsichord and Organ, Mary and Raymond Thomson Organ Scholarship, and Agnes Millar Prize for Outstanding Harmony and Counterpoint. He has performed piano solo and duet recitals at venues such as St Giles' Cathedral (Edinburgh), Sage Gateshead (Newcastle) and Unitarernes Hus (Copenhagen, DK).

Alena Shmakova () has studied historical dance since 2006. Since 2013, she has actively collaborated with and performed at historical sites, including Holyrood Palace, St Cecilia's Hall and Music Instrument Museum and Stirling Castle. Since 2022, Alena has been offering historical dance courses for the Adult Education Programme run by the City of Edinburgh Council. Currently, Alena is undertaking her postgraduate studies in History at the University of the Highlands and Islands and regularly presents her research on the Scottish dance scene at international conferences.

Host or Publisher The Georgian House