Members of the Frankfurter Opern and Museumsorchester started joining forces with the Orchestra of Change in 2020. They hope this benefit concert will raise awareness of, and gain support for "Rückenwind" (Tailwind) - part of the Orchestra for Change's efforts to protect the climate and natural world. "Rückenwind" helps 300 women in Madagascar on their journey toward economic independence by providing vocational and financial training, access to basic healthcare, and support in achieving greater social stability, thereby creating lasting, positive change in their communities.
This evening's programme celebrates the artistic power and creativity of women, with works by three remarkable composers spanning three centuries, starting with a string quartet by Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn, an extraordinary representative of the early Romantic era. Though long overshadowed by societal norms and her brother Felix, her compositions now gain the recognition they deserve. This is followed by a work by the American violist and composer Jessica Meyer, written in 2024: "with a gift for burning," for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano, inspired by two poems by Adrienne Rich - an American poet and feminist whose work gave voice to the continued struggles of women in the second half of the 20th century and a string quartet by Ethel Smyth, a trailblazing British composer and suffragette.
An evening to celebrate artistic excellence and a call to action - combining music with meaningful support for global social change. Proceeds from the box office go towards the Orchestra of Change e.V.'s Madagaskar-Projekt
Fanny Mendelssohn 1805–1847
String Quartet in E flat Major (1834)
Jessica Meyer (*1974)
with a gift for burning
– interval –
Ethel Smyth 1858–1944
String Quartet in E minor (1902)
