Inner Voices
Our collaboration with soprano Héloïse Werner explores themes of human individuality, societal perceptions of women and madness, and heartbreak through new works and arrangements for soprano and string quintet.
The programme includes Missy Mazzoli’s ‘Quartet for Queen Mab’, a new commission by Héloïse Werner entitled ‘Les leçons du mardi’ about the voyeuristic and humiliating Tuesday Lectures held at the Salpêtrière Hospital in 19th-century Paris, a new arrangement of Barbara Strozzi’s ‘Che si può fare’ about heartache and the stifling of women’s aspirations, and a new arrangement of Claude Debussy’s ‘Ariettes oubliées’ about solitary suffering, the fragility of love and relationships.
The subject of the new commission, ‘Les leçons du mardi’, is the infamous lectures of neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot where he would goad institutionalised women into acting out their ‘hysteria’ for a baying Parisian audience. The new work will turn the lectures on their head; this time, it is the woman performer – Héloïse – who will hold the agency and control the presentation. She will deliver a feminist, first-person testimony, while the string players, sat in a circle around her, will recite quotes taken from outdated “scientific” texts on the debunked notion of female hysteria. The work aims to fully integrate scientific discourse into new music, reflecting on the continued issue of gender inequality in science and society.
Programme
Barbara Strozzi (arr. Birchall) - Che si puo fare John Dowland (arr. Bruce) - Go Crystal Tears Edmund Finnis - String Quartet No. 2 OR
Igor Stravinsky - Three Pieces for String Quartet Claude Debussy (arr. Bachs) - Ariettes Oubliées
Interval
L. van Beethoven - "Heiliger Dankgesang" from String Quartet Op. 132 Héloïse Werner - Les Leçons du Mardi Missy Mazzoli - Quartet for Queen Mab
Encore:
Werner (arr. Alexander & Werner) - Unspecified Intentions
Running time: 85’ (excl. interval and encore)
Short programme version:
Barbara Strozzi (arr. Birchall) - Che si puo fare (4’) Edmund Finnis - String Quartet No. 2 (14') OR Igor Stravinsky - Three Pieces for String Quartet (9') Claude Debussy (arr. Bachs) - Ariettes Oubliées (16’) Héloïse Werner - Les Leçons du Mardi (10’) Missy Mazzoli - Quartet for Queen Mab (10')
Running time: 65’ (no interval)
Performers
Héloïse Werner soprano
USE String Quintet
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Les Leçons du Mardi by Héloïse Werner
“If the source material might (stereotypically) suggest music of overblown emotion, then (unsurprisingly) Werner is far more imaginative and subversive. This isn’t a piece about so-called female hysteria, rather how men have for centuries controlled the narrative about women’s bodies and minds. Werner takes the power back — as performer and composer. Her libretto (by Dr Emma Werner, her scientist sister) is a patchwork of infuriating quotes spanning the centuries about women being crazy. Yes, this music should come with a blood-pressure warning. The way in which Werner sets them is smart, effective and provocative.” ★★★★ Rebecca Franks, The Times
French-British soprano and composer Héloïse Werner made her debut with the London Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Nash Ensemble. In recital and concert, she has performed all over the UK and has formed a particularly strong relationship with the Wigmore Hall since her debut there in January 2021.
A prolific composer, Héloïse Werner has written for musicians including violist Lawrence Power, bassoonist Amy Harman, pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen, mezzo-soprano Marielou Jacquard, pianist Kunal Lahiry, violinist Fenella Humphreys, mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, The Gesualdo Six, The Bach Choir, CoMA, mezzo-soprano Grace Durham and Miller-Porfiris Duo, with premieres taking place at the Lucerne Festival and Festival Présences. 2022/23 commissions include new works for Radio France (x2), CBSO, Wigmore Hall, Aurora Orchestra, Clare Choir Cambridge and London Handel Festival. A selected list of her works is available here.