News story
TRAVEL INTO THE UNDERWORLD AT BOUGHTON HOUSE
A breathtaking new landscape feature has recently been created within the seventeenth and eighteenth century, Grade I registered gardens at Boughton House near Kettering. Given the title ‘Orpheus’ and designed by the landscape architect Kim Wilkie, the new landform is sited on what was an empty space across the Broadwater canal from the great Mount. Orpheus takes the form of an inverted grass pyramid, which descends seven metres below the surrounding grass terrace and compliments the neighbouring Mount. A gently sloping grass path spirals down from the terrace to a square pool at the base of the truncated pyramid. The earthwork has been named after Orpheus to celebrate its descending form and as a place for music and contemplation. Alongside, and leading up to Orpheus, is a water filled stone rill in the shape of a spiral based on Fibonacci numbers (don’t ask!) with an associated sculpture in the form of a 13 feet stainless steel cube.
The 9th Duke of Buccleuch began the massive task of restoring the gardens at Boughton five years ago and wanted to create a new feature on the empty space opposite the Mount. When Richard, the 10th Duke succeeded in 2007 he continued his father’s restoration and commissioned Mr Wilkie, who has rather cleverly created an Orpheus Hades to compliment the Olympian Mount. Its significance cannot be better expressed than in the Duke’s words, “Designed landscapes are rarely static. Boughton’s renewal in recent years has provided the opportunity for innovation alongside renovation. Kim’s genius has been to create something that is both bold and highly sympathetic.”
“It is a vision of power and intelligence, prompting awe-tinged surprise, which gives way to curiosity and then calm as the visitor descends into Orpheus. Here we can rediscover the importance of landscape, ponder how it plays on our senses and how we take our place within it. The creative Montagues of the 18th century would, I think, have been intrigued.”
Jenny and I had the privilege of attending the launch on the afternoon of 29th July last year, and despite the inclement weather a most exciting occasion it was. The Duke greeted everyone on arrival. Tea and cakes were taken in the stable tea-rooms before setting off in groups of about 20 to walk across the park to view Orpheus. Fortunately the rain held off for a while and walking gingerly on the wet grass, we were able to explore the new landscape, not only descending, into Orpheus’ depths but also taking a punt across the canal and climbing to the top of the mount to view the new earthwork feature in its wider garden landscape.
The Duke’s original plan was to have the early music group I Faglioni playing and singing at the base of Orpheus while guests sat on the descending, ramped pathway to enjoy selections from Monteverdi’s opera ‘Orpheus’. Unfortunately, because of the weather, this had to be limited to a short selection of music by five members of the group playing trumpets and sackbuts whilst standing under umbrellas.
Although the weather had deteriorated, the day had a spectacular ending. We all returned to the house for drinks and nibbles followed by an unexpected bonus. The concert, which should have been held outdoors, was transferred to the Great Hall, a most atmospheric setting for the music and songs of Monteverdi and Gabrieli. What a perfect ending to a most memorable and enjoyable day
Rod Conlon
(Northamptonshire Gardens Trust)
