Polifemy women's vocal ensemble - One Woman's War

Overview

Wartime letters from Australian Army Nursing Service Sister Ada Priscilla Smith (read by Liz McKenzie).

Renaissance music - Missa L'homme armé (Guerrera 1540) performed by Polifemy women's vocal ensemble (dir. Robyn Mellor).

"Everywhere it has been proclaimed that each man shall arm himself with a coat of iron mail. The armed man should be feared."

You will hear readings from the letters, reports, photos and memorabilia written and collected by Sister Ada Priscilla Smith after she enlisted in June 1915 with Polifemy's a capella vocal performances of the Missa L'homme armé (Mass for the Armed Man) composed by the Spaniard Francisco Guerrero in 1540, and motets by Morales, Palestrina, de Lassus, Victoria and others. While listening, you will be able to reflect on Sister Smith's journey from Warwick in Queensland, to Egypt, France, England and back again in early 1920. Join us for a concert of beautiful Renasissance music and a riveting recounting of one woman's war.