Description
Celebrate the 250th birthday of Jane Austen with music from her own collection, along with snippets of information about the musical thread running through her life and works. With original Regency instruments and replica costume, we will step back in time to Portsmouth of the early 1800's.
Pianist and historical interpreter, Lisa Timbs, funded by Arts Council England, has looked in detail at music owned by Jane Austen and her female relations. After privileged access to the original books, she now shares her findings with audiences around the country by recreating the music using her 1826 Broadwood square piano and authentic replica clothing.
Accompanied by soprano, Verity Joy and harpist, Annemarie Rhys-Jones, Lisa will transport the audience to a Portsmouth dominated by the Navy, intent on defeating Napoleon, a place familiar to Austen's brothers Charles and Francis, both of whom had illustrious naval careers. Music was a useful propaganda tool to keep up morale after so many years of war, but we will also visit Jane Austen at home and find her using music to amuse, as an emotional outlet and as a plot device in her novels. We will hear how, in her usual subtle way, she leaves clues for us about her characters with music, showing us the rogues and gently poking fun at the lovelorn.
What can Jane's musical tastes tell us about her and about society in general? Join us in this piece of musical time travel to discover the answers.
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Seating Information
Please note that individual seats are not reserved. When you book tickets for a concert, you will be allocated a specific section of unreserved seating. While your tickets ensure entry to the event, we advise that you arrive early to secure your preferred seats within your booked section. Seats within each section are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early arrival will give you the best opportunity to choose where you’d like to sit.
Venue Details
Portsmouth Cathedral - Quire (East) - Reserved Sections
High StreetPortsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2HA
