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 an original 1826 Broadwood square piano and authentic replica clothing, pianist and historical interpreter Lisa Timbs and soprano Verity Joy, will take you back in time to the Regency era familiar to one of Britain’s national treasures.
Pianist, Lisa Timbs, has been funded by Arts Council England to research early music collections, including that 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, the duo will take audiences to 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 from the playlist she left behind.
After completing her degree in music at Southampton University, Lisa returned to take up a post as piano tutor, where she remained for eleven years. She has had successful partnerships with both singers and instrumentalists, and been principal accompanist for a number of award-winning choirs, performing in the UK and abroad.
In 2012 Lisa purchased a rare 1826 Broadwood square piano and began her research into domestic music making, which is now her main focus. She recently added a second fully restored square piano to her collection, an 1822 model made by Tompkison, which she primarily uses for recording.
In order to share her work, Lisa founded ‘The Square Pianist’, a project which combines period instruments and authentic costume in historical settings, to bring the past and the music to life. Her work has been recognized in both local and national press and she has performed in stately homes and museums across the country, as well as in the presence of Royalty for the launch of Austen 200 by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Funded by The Arts Council England, she has explored Jane Austen’s music collection and then in 2022, funded by Calderdale Council, her research focused on music books owned by Anne Lister, BBC’s ‘Gentleman Jack’. Footage from recordings made at Shibden Hall has been turned into a CD and documentary film which accompanied live performances during the Anne Lister Birthday Festival in Halifax, 2024. Lisa is also an historical milliner and, using original techniques, makes replica hats for re-enactors, film, television and theatre.
Event: Thursday 19 June, 7.30pm
Bar Opens: 6.30pm
Tickets: £12 Advance, £15 On The Door
Event: Thursday 19 June, 7.30pm
Bar Opens: 6.30pm
Tickets: £12 Advance, £15 On The Door
