Mary Somerville (1780 – 1872) was a mathematician and astronomer, referred to as the Queen of the Sciences, who was also an accomplished pianist & painter. Her circle of friends included many other exceptional women striking out on their own independent paths in science & arts. Fry & Lynch consider music’s role in fostering women’s often hidden social and professional networks and seek clues to where Conway Hall’s own composer, Eliza Flower (1803–1846) lay within these powerful relationships. With performances of some of the historic repertoire discussed and contemporary works by women inspired by Somerville and her associates.

Music:

• Frances M Lynch Dark Matters for voice & recorded instruments: Text – Mary Somerville (1780 – 1872)
• Eliza Flower (1803–1846) June – “Summer Song for the Open Air” for acapella voices: Text -Catherine Partridge
• Helen Blackwood, Lady Dufferin (1807 – 1867) The Charming Woman arr. for acapella voices by FM Lynch
• Isabella Scott Gibson (1786–1838)Dark Lochnagar for solo voice: Text – Lord Byron
• Cheryl Frances-Hoad“Something more than mortal”  for solo voice: Text –Ada Lovelace (1815 – 1852)
• Eliza Flower (1803–1846) Death of Madge Wildfire arr. for 2 voices & fixed media by FM Lynch: Text –  Sir Walter Scott
• Frances M Lynch Trowelblazers for 2 voices & fixed media

  Find out more about our Eliza Flower project – including podcasts, recordings and films on the this link