[A LIFE’S WORK]
with Ashlyn Tymms•mezzo soprano
PROGRAM • 60 mins no interval
CLARA SCHUMANN Op. 16 arranged for string quartet by Jessica Wells #
MELODY EÖTVÖS “Hope. Fear. Anything.” ^
MARGARET SUTHERLAND String Quartet No. 2 “Discussion”
KATY ABBOTT “Splitting the Ambivalence” *
# Commissioned by Flinders Quartet
^ Commissioned by John and Irene Garran
* Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Kim Williams AM
ST JOHN’S CHURCH • SATURDAY 28 MAY, 2:30PM
MONTSALVAT BARN GALLERY • SUNDAY 29 MAY, 2.30PM
PRIMROSE POTTER SALON • MONDAY 30 MAY, 11AM & 6PM
Now available to FQ Digital subscribers for on-demand viewing digital.flindersquartet.com
“After premiering “Hidden Thoughts II: Return to Sender” by Katy Abbott in 2020, we knew she was the perfect person to explore and uncover Margaret Sutherland’s life through a new song cycle using text from Margaret’s own letters and diaries.
Sutherland’s life story is extraordinary and she played a crucial role in the development of Australia’s music scene. I wouldn’t be surprised if a movie is made soon!
Camille Claudel‘s life is already the subject of at least one film and as Rodin’s muse, her own creativity was often overlooked. Using text in her native French from letters by Camille, Melody Eötvös introduces Australian audiences to this very significant sculpteur.
It’s not the first time a string quartet has been used as a biographical tool (Smetana’s “From My Life” being the obvious example) and I am thoroughly looking forward to understanding these artists even more deeply through this project.”
THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA, VIOLIN
“(Their) commissioning of new works is ongoing and truly part of their DNA not just part of their marketing.”
Photography credit: David Fowler
Ashlyn Tymms – Mezzo Soprano
Ashlyn Tymms most recently performed as Santuzza in West Australian Opera’s production of Cavalleria rusticana and as Dorabella in the Glyndebourne Festival production of Così fan tutte. In 2020, she sang Hansel in the WAO production of Hansel and Gretel. Making her debut with the company as Lapák and Mrs Pásková in The Cunning Little Vixen, Ashlyn has also sung Flora in La traviata and Lady-in-Waiting in Verdi’s Macbeth.
Ashlyn studied her Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music and went on to graduate as a HF Music Scholar at the Royal College of Music, London, Masters of Vocal Performance with Distinction. She has been awarded the Outstanding Australian Musician Award by the Royal Over-Seas League, London. Ashlyn sang leading lady Rosimonda in Handel's Faramondo at the London Handel Festival. Other roles include Judith in the world premiere of The Two Sisters with Tête à Tête Opera, La marchande de journaux in Poulenc’s Les mamelles de Tirésias, Euridice in Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, the title role in Dido and Aeneas, Eurydice in Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld and Berenice in Rossini’s L’occasione fa il ladro.
Ashlyn has performed extensively within Australia, UK and Asia on the concert platform. Major appearances have included Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music at Buckingham Palace (hosted by The Prince of Wales), a tour to South Korea in recital with the London Cello Orchestra and Verdi’s Requiem at the Sydney Town Hall. Appearing as a soloist with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra this June, Ashlyn also looks forward to singing Handel's Messiah with Sydney Philharmonia at the Sydney Opera House 2022. Ashlyn will make her Carmen debut with West Australian Opera 2023.