大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores a musician also remarkable for her sporting prowess. Today, introducing Ethel Smyth鈥檚 muse, Mary Ponsonby, and her brushes with royalty.

British composer Dame Ethel Smyth was one of the early 20th century鈥檚 most original cultural voices. A prodigious musical talent who was best known for her operas, she was a force of nature, an unapologetic eccentric who didn鈥檛 suffer fools gladly, and a rule-breaking, trailblazing feminist. Alongside music, she was an accomplished sportswoman, and her driven and playful nature - as well as her endurance - would not only shape her career but her personal life too. All this week, Donald Macleod explores Smyth鈥檚 story through what she termed her 鈥減assions鈥� 鈥� the key all-consuming relationships that changed the course of her life, and how they were a necessary force for her creativity.

Today, the woman who matched Ethel鈥檚 spirit and 鈥渃hanged the colour鈥� of her life. In Mary Ponsonby, Ethel found a kindred soul who similarly defied gender norms and conventions. Despite their tempestuous rows, Mary was a dedicated friend and musical supporter, who ran in influential and royal circles. We hear about Ethel鈥檚 talent for making friends in high places, and her encounters with the Empress Eugenie and Queen Victoria.

Lieder, Op 4 No 4 鈥淣achtreiter鈥�
Maarten Koningsberger, baritone
Kelvin Grout, piano

Klavierst眉ck in E major
Antonio Oyarzabal, piano

Cello Sonata in C minor (i. Allegro Appassionato, ii. Andante)
Friedemann Kupsa cello
Anna Silova, piano

The Wreckers, Act II: Prelude 鈥淥n the Cliffs of Cornwall鈥� (arr. for winds)
Swedish Wind Ensemble
Cathrine Winnes, director

Mass in D: Gloria
Susanna Hurrell, soprano
Catriona Morison, mezzo
Ben Johnson, tenor
Duncan Rock, baritone
大象传媒 Singers
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo, conductor

F锚te Galante: Joy unbounded; Heigh Ho; Hushed is the world
Charmian Bedford, soprano
Alessandro Fisher, tenor
Felix Kemp, baritone
Simon Wallfisch, baritone
Ensemble Lontano
Odaline de la Martinez, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for 大象传媒 Audio Wales and West