Despite Elgar’s trip late in life to the Amazon, it may still seem strange to many that a series of programmes about Elgar and British culture have become a feature of the programming on one of Peru’s most popular radio stations.  Thanks to the efforts of presenter and producer, Elke McDonald, a series of fifteen minute programmes on Radio Filarmonia, Peru have become a popular listen among many in and around Lima, the county’s capital.

On a recent visit to the UK, Elke, pictured here with Chairman Stuart Freed, said that she was both surprised and gratified that the series, which is sponsored by the British Peruvian Cultural Association, had become so poplar in her home country that, as a result, a live concert featuring Elgar’s music which took place earlier this year, proved to be such an attraction that many had to be turned away.  A second event is now being planned when a much larger venue will be used.