Anne Brontë 200: A Celebration in Words and Music
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Two hundred years after the birth of Anne Brontë, the canonic writer’s words are being reimagined and celebrated with a performance of music and poetry under the curatorship of artistic director Pamela Nash. Newly commissioned choral settings of Anne’s words by Lucy Pankhurst and Paul Vowles will be performed by the Manchester Musicians’ Choir and the choir of Withington Girls’ School.
New poetry by Edwin Stockdale, Liliana Pasterska and Philip Watts will be read by the authors and sit alongside the works of Anne herself. Through this unique collaboration and the creation of new works, the evening will be keeping Brontë’s legacy alive and relevant to people now. Informing the audience about Anne’s life will be Dr Karen Laird, noted scholar and expert in Victorian literature. She will be sharing some insight into this unlikely author’s work.
art inspired by Anne Brontë’s short but profoundly important life
Alongside the new works you will also hear pieces by John Rutter, David Fanshawe, Judith Herrington, Cristi Cary Miller and Dale Trumbore. Soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers and pianist Annabelle Lawson will also be performing songs from John Joubert’s Emily Bronte song cycle. Join these exceptional musicians and writers for a night of art inspired by Anne Brontë’s short but profoundly important life in Cross Street Chapel.
