Opera Prelude: Jane Austen’s Play List: Music in the Georgian Novel

Sophie Pullen (soprano), accompanied by Natalie Burch (piano)

Not only is Jane Austen celebrated on the new £10 note in the bicentennial year of her death: her enduring appeal is further portrayed through words and music by soprano, Sophie Pullen and musicologist and pianist, Penelope Cave. Together, they offer an entertaining and informative study- morning, in which they outline and illustrate the novelist’s interaction with music from her period, and venture to make connections beyond. In addition to references to the Austen family music collection; Jane’s piano lessons, and the use of music within her novels; Sophie and Penelope will intersperse their presentation by performing a wide range of songs and operatic arias from Handel to Rossini and folk songs from the British Isles.

Dr Penelope Cave is an international prize-winning harpsichordist. Her solo CD, ‘From Lisbon to Madrid’, received 5 stars from the BBC Music Magazine.

Opera Prelude is a small charity passionate about supporting young professional opera singers who give lecture recitals in London. These friendly and inclusive events will introduce you to the international opera singers of tomorrow by way of recitals, concerts and masterclasses.