Somerset House set for summer

Somerset House, which is celebrating its first anniversary as a public attraction, is to mark its highly successful first year with a series of outdoor summer concerts.

Since it was opened to the public more than a million visitors - double the number predicted - have enjoyed the restored Thames-side landmark.

Having rapidly established itself as one of London's most popular public venues, Somerset House is now home to three major museums: the Courtauld Institute Gallery, the Gilbert Collection and the Hermitage Rooms, which show exhibits from the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.

It was only after a vigorous 30-year campaign, supported by the Evening Standard, that Somerset House was thrown open to the public. Previously, it was used as office space for the Inland Revenue and the Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths, while its magnificent courtyard was a car park.

Duncan Wilson, director of the Somerset House Trust, said today: "We are all delighted by the public response. People have come in their thousands, not just for the museums but also for the many free facilities, especially the courtyard and river terrace.

"This summer we hope our open-air programme will provide even more entertainment and enjoyment for the public."

Beginning on 21 June - Midsummer's night - Londoners will be able to spend evenings on deckchairs in the huge courtyard, with a live musical accompaniment.

Works by Mozart, Strauss, Dvorak, Beethoven and Handel will be included in the regular chamber concerts which will feature soloists from the Philharmonia Orchestra, among others

Not all the music on offer will be of such venerable provenance. Lambchop, an alternative country music outfit who hail from Nashville in the US, will bring a hoedown atmosphere to the graceful porticos and terraces of the courtyard on 9 July.

There will also be a performance of the Tempest, and in July the venue will help celebrate National Children's Art Day with a weekend of child-friendly art and performance for families.

The summer season of events means the courtyard has become a year-round venue. In December a large open-air ice-rink drew thousands of eager skaters. The rink will return in time for Christmas this year.