Suffragette

Not many composers can claim that their work directly affected the rights and freedoms of millions of people. While Dame Ethel Smyth’s name may not be known to many even within the classical music sphere, her contributions as an ardent supporter of the suffragette movement in England and her achievements as a woman composer at the turn of the century helped empower and pave the way for many women to demand equal rights and opportunities.

Opera 5 presents Suffragette – a double bill of operas by Dame Ethel Smyth. The evening will showcase the range of Smyth’s work with O5 flair featuring Fête Galante and the feminist opera The Boatswain’s Mate. With the Suffragette movement in mind, Opera 5 has a completely female production team leading Suffragette. Accompanied by a chamber orchestra performing composer-original reductions edited by Valerie Langfield.