Escape to the Stage

Lyralce presents "Escape to the Stage!"

Escape to the stage with **Ann Ford** (1737-1824)! When British socialite Ann Ford’s father demanded that she marry a man 30-years her senior (who had attempted to pay for her hand in marriage), she was desperate to find a way out. With money she borrowed from her well-to-do friends, Ann rented out some of London’s most prestigious concert venues and launched a concert series to fund her own independence. Despite her father’s attempt to have her arrested for performing in public, Ann’s 1760 and 1761 concert series were a huge success.

Hear some of the music that Ann sang and played on the viol and plucked instruments, including a few of her own compositions! Actor **Julie Nelson** joins musicians **Ashley Mulcahy** (mezzo), **James Perretta** (viol), and **Nathaniel Cox** (plucked instruments) to frame musical selections with narrated excerpts from surviving letters, articles, and books by and about Ann.

**Community Sing & Play to immediately follow the concert!** Stick around for **tea and cookies** and join the Lyracle musicians to sing/play through a few short English pieces composed during Ann’s lifetime. All voices, instruments, and levels welcome.