Wednesday 29th July 2026
Starts 19:00 until 21:00
The Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HF

In Harmony with Hardy

An evening of readings, songs, and piano music performed by James Graham

Date: Wednesday, 29th July 2026

Time: 7pm

Cost: FREE - THS Conference Ticket Holders

£10 THS Members

£15 Non-members

Venue: The Corn Exchange, Dorchester

Part of the 2026 THS Conference & Festival Programme

Join the Thomas Hardy Society's International Conference for an evening of poetry and readings at the Corn Exchange, accompanied by beautiful piano music and songs - including works by Tchaikovsky, Bach, Finzi, Elgar and Copland - performed by James Graham.

Thomas Hardy was a keen observer of the human condition and his somewhat fatalistic view of life was underpinned by many universal themes including irony, betrayal, nostalgia and the laws of nature.

However, Hardy also had a passion for music, was a keen concertgoer and had surprisingly diverse musical tastes - from the joyful West Gallery bands of his youth to Wagner's operas and much other romantic repertoire.

Dr Natalie Burton is the Literary Curator. THS Chair Mark Damon Chutter will be the narrator for the evening, and the accompanist for the songs will be Clara Pears. Alban O'Brien and Giles Keating will be reading from the works of Hardy.