Classic FM attends the Diamond Jubilee preparations

Lucy Coward hitches a ride on one of the barges as they get ready for the big day on Saturday, June 3.

Yesterday, preparations got underway for the Queen’s huge Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On the bankside of the Thames, one of the barges that will make up a thousand-strong flotilla set sail to rehearse a routine that will entertain the well-wishers on June 3.

The ‘New Water Music’ barge will feature a 15-piece ensemble playing a re-imagined version of Handel’s Water Music, as composed by ten modern composers: Anne Dudley, Graham Fitkin, Gavin Greenaway, Christopher Gunning, Adrian Johnston, John Lunn, Julian Nott, Jocelyn Pook, Stephen Warbeck and Debbie Wiseman.

Lucy Coward spoke to Debbie Wiseman and Christopher Gunning about the rehearsal and the big day ahead.

Listen to the interview now

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