On the last night of our Sense and Sensibility Festival, we are delighted to present a *very* special evening of Jane Austen and music…

We’ll begin with a ‘show and tell’ of musical artefacts from the museum collection… Gather round to examine one of Jane’s handwritten music books up close, along with printed music books that belonged to her and a precious first edition of Sense and Sensibility, under the expert guidance of our collections team. We’ll then move into the Drawing Room, where Jane herself practiced the piano each morning, for an intimate concert performed by acclaimed soprano Penelope Appleyard and concert pianist Jonathan Delbridge.

Sense and Musicality is a programme exploring the “head vs heart” love story of Jane Austen and music. Narrated semi-theatrically, the performance includes extracts from Jane’s novels and letters and an introduction to the square piano.

Beautiful, entertaining and informative, this innovative and intimate recital invites audiences into Jane Austen’s world to investigate her relationship with music, emotion and romance.

After the performance, join us for drinks in the Historic Kitchen and raise a glass to our favourite authoress!

About the performers:

Penelope Appleyard has performed at prestigious venues internationally as both soloist and ensemble singer, ensembles including Apollo5, the Taverner Consort, the Monteverdi Choir, The New London Consort, The Academy of Ancient Music, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Wiener Akademie, Arcangelo, Armonico Consort, Ex Cathedra and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others, and  appears on numerous recordings. Operatic roles have included Cupid (Venus and Adonis) Dorinda (The Tempest) Shepherdess and Siren (King Arthur) Bonvica (Bonduca) Pallas (Judgement of Paris) Second Woman (Dido and Aeneas) Mopsa (Fairy Queen) and Belinda (Dido and Aeneas). Solo concert work has included Messiah with the Academy of Ancient Music, Bach’s B minor Mass at the Bologna Festival, Arne’s Alfred with Steven Devine, Monteverdi Vespers with Laurence Cummings, King Arthur for the Brighton Early Music Festival and Messiah as a Nevill Holt Young Artist.

“The lovely soprano voice of Penelope Appleyard” – The Classical Review

Jonathan Delbridge is well known for his exciting and varied concert programmes on both the piano and organ. He is a versatile musician, performing major classical works, jazz standards and his own improvisations and likes to interact with the audience, giving background information to the pieces performed. Jonathan regularly performs at a wide range of small and large venues, from the Royal Albert Hall, and Birmingham Symphony Hall to Plymouth University and All Saints Church in his own village of Lopen, Somerset. He also has a beautifully restored 1814 Broadwood Square Piano which he uses to provide a unique concert experience in more intimate settings.

Details:
Date: Sunday 11 May
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm followed by drinks
Location: This event will take place at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us. 
Tickets: £75

☕ This event includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

 This event is part of our Spring Fling: Sense and Sensibility Festival, running from 1 – 11 May 2025