Adelaide Symphony Orchestra presents She Speaks 2024: A Weekend Celebration of Outstanding Women Composers

Prepare to become familiar with the unfamiliar as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) proudly presents She Speaks, an electrifying weekend dedicated to honouring the extraordinary contributions of women composers.  

This groundbreaking event, on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June 2024, is co-curated by renowned Australian composers Anne Cawrse and Belinda Gehlert and promises a collection of unforgettable concerts brimming with music, inspiration, and empowerment. 

Since its inception in 2021, She Speaks has emerged as a beacon of creativity and inclusivity, captivating audiences with its innovative programming and unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of female composers. The ASO remains dedicated to championing female composers through various commissioning initiatives, ensuring their impactful contributions resonate throughout the music world. Now, in its third iteration in 2024, this transformative celebration continues to push boundaries and redefine the classical music landscape.  

This year’s She Speaks promises a rich tapestry of performances, featuring captivating collaborations with the Australian String Quartet and the Elder Music Lab musicians. The weekend begins with a Friday lunchtime concert by the Australian String Quartet, followed in the evening by an ASO ensemble of six that collectively offer an intimate exploration of women’s musical genius.  

On Saturday, Elder Music Lab will perform inspiring new music in Madley Studio. The grand finale unfolds on Saturday night at Adelaide’s prestigious Elder Hall as the full force of the ASO takes the stage for a captivating display of music by living Australian women composers.  

Co-curator Belinda Gehlert shares her perspective: “She Speaks provides a platform to directly support and promote the careers of female composers and gives audiences a chance to hear music that is unfamiliar but could well become a new favourite. It showcases the talents of an underrepresented group of composers and takes us a step closer towards gender parity in classical music. 

“Audiences can expect to hear everything from the quietest notes on a solo flute to the loudest brass fanfare, ethereal music played on a traditional Japanese Shamisen, and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in full flight. There may also be some playing of garden pottery.”  

Co-curator Anne Cawrse also offers her insights: “As a living Australian composer, I have a vested interest in musicians and audiences being interested in new works.  

“She Speaks explores one group of voices who traditionally have not held appropriate representative space in concert halls or on concert programs. This is an opportunity to focus our attention on new and unfamiliar music, and to prove in a pragmatic and active way that women have written – and continue to write – music that is worthy of our attention. 

“Audiences can expect a great deal of contemporary music, written by composers who are active today with an intentional focus on Australian composers, as I believe it’s important to champion our own artists. Some will even be in the audience, so if you have ever wondered how you write a piece of music, come along and you can ask the composer herself.” 

Adding to the excitement, ASO Associate Principal Cello Sharon Grigoryan expressed her joy in performing alongside friends and musical collaborators Belinda and Anne, underscoring the profound sense of honour in bringing their works to life. 

The weekend’s performances are curated under four thematic banners: Unearth, Spirit, Dynamic, and Discover.  

Friday 31 May opens with the lunchtime concert exploring the ‘Unearth’ theme, with the Australian String Quartet’s vibrant performance of Shaw’s emotion shifting Three Essays that reveals how passion and logic are sometimes at odds when people connect through words. The program ends with a sprinkling of the romantic, thanks to Mendelssohn’s quartet, and leads those gathered towards enthralling music from shamisen virtuoso Noriko Tadano. 

Later that evening, ‘Spirit’ comes into focus as the audience are treated to the serene beauty of Mary Finsterer’s Angelus, a work inspired by a painting of a peasant couple in prayer amidst the fields, before the performance ends with an exhilarating rush courtesy of Higdon’s Dash. 

On Saturday 1 June, ‘Dynamic’ owns the afternoon and has the flute skipping from one note to the next in Clyne’s mischievous Hopscotch, while Harrison’s slinky strings and sly winds open Bend Boogie Break. Larsen’s quirky Corker adds a spontaneous feel to this program, which features stimulating works from Shaw, Auerbach and Wolfe. Elder Music Lab’s talented performers will bring this music to life under the baton of Nicole Marshall. 

She Speaks concludes on the Saturday evening in a sea of rhythms that weave and twirl across the instruments of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in Tower’s Chamber Dance, while yearning strings are sure to nurture grief and joy in music from Mazzoli. Adelaide’s own Anne Cawrse gives voice to the cor anglais when bridging the worlds of silence and sound. It all reaches a fitting crescendo with a new work from Belinda Gehlert, especially commissioned by the ASO to celebrate this special concert series. 

Co-curator Anne Cawrse reflects: “We are thrilled to present She Speaks 2024, a celebration of the vibrant and diverse voices of women composers. This year’s program invites audiences to discover and experience the brilliance of these visionary artists, showcasing the richness and innovation within classical music.” 

She Speaks 31 May – 1 June 

1 – Unearth 
Elder Hall 
1:10pm, Fri 31 May 2024 
Tickets from $20  

2 – Spirit 
Elder Hall 
7pm, Fri 31 May 2024 
Tickets from $20  

3 – Dynamic 
Madley Studio 
4pm, Sat 1 June 2024 
Tickets from $20 

4 – Discover  
Elder Hall 
7pm, Sat 1 June 2024  
Tickets Adults from $45 and Children from $20  

About ASO 

The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) stands as a beacon of musical excellence and cultural enrichment in Australia. Renowned for its passion, precision, and versatility, the ASO has captivated audiences worldwide with its captivating performances spanning classical masterpieces, contemporary compositions, and innovative collaborations. Led by a roster of internationally acclaimed conductors and musicians, the ASO continues to push boundaries, inspire creativity, and foster a deep appreciation for the transformative power of orchestral music. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1936, the ASO remains committed to engaging diverse audiences and shaping the cultural landscape of Adelaide and beyond.