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Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown, PEI
July 24, 7 pm.
Tickets $25 at the door
Imagine if a renowned British composer and suffragist had visited Charlottetown in 1919, inspiring local women to work for the vote? That’s the premise behind pianist Jennifer King and mezzo-soprano Suzanne Campbell’s original musical show, The Bessie Carruthers Study Club, touring Nova Scotia and PEI this summer.
Although the meeting didn’t happen, the historical characters were real. British musician, composer, and renowned suffragist Ethel Smyth (now known as Dame Smyth) has been rediscovered as a significant composer of the last century, and a formidable voice in the work of British suffragettes. The PEI connection, Bessie Carruthers, played an important role in persuading political leaders of the day to grant women the right to vote on PEI. Coincidentally, Carruthers is a distant relation of singer Suzanne Campbell, and a close relative to former PEI Premier Catherine Callbeck.
Produced by Pirate Jenny Productions, The Bessie Carruthers Study Club stars Suzanne Campbell as Bessie with Jennifer King portraying Smyth.
Please visit https://www.jenniferkingpiano.com/events for ticket information.
Mezzo-soprano Suzanne Campbell teaches singing to students of all ages, appears as a frequent soloist around the Island, and sings as a member of the award-winning women’s vocal ensemble, Sirens, who won Choral Recording of the Year at the 2023 ECMAs. Halifax based Jennifer King is a pianist, educator, host of Cecilia Concerts Sensory Accessible Concert series at Halifax’s Central Library and a recording artist. Her latest recording, O Mistress Moon: Canadian Edition was the recipient of the 2023 ECMA Classical Recording of the Year.
Described as a “delightful musical rumination” (ruk.ca) The Bessie Carruthers Study Club was one of nine shows selected to be part of the 2019 Island Fringe Festival where it performed to sold-out, standing-room-only audiences throughout the festival. Audience members of all ages enjoyed the portrayal of Bessie Carruthers and Ethel Smyth as well as the audience-participation aspect of the show.
A review by Sean McQuaid in The Buzz described the show as “a playfully thoughtful and amusing look back at women’s earlier struggles, made more appealing by the Campbell/King duo’s fine singing and King’s formidable piano skills. Their slate of period tunes includes several audience sing-along numbers, making the show more immersive and fun.”
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Beaconsfield Historic House, 2 Kent Street,Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
