The Barthélemon Circle

Patience Tomlinson (actress)

Marsha Skinns (violin)

Clare Norburn (soprano)  

Leah Stuttard (fortepiano)

Michelene Wandor (writer)

The Barthélemon Circle is an innovative group consisting of musicians, an actress and a writer who have got together to explore new ways of combining words and music.   The group was formed in 1999 and gave their first performance in the Unsung Heroines Series of women composers in early music.  The concert attracted much interest, including a broadcast and interview on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.  They recently gave a very well-received performances at the National Portrait Gallery and Hestercombe Gardens, near Taunton for Chard Foundation of Women in Music.

The Programme

Working Women is a unique performance celebrating the music of a group of women composers who worked in London in the years bridging the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Little music by women in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries received a great deal of attention.  However, Elisabetta de Gambarini, Maria and Cecilia Barthélemon and Maddalena Lombardini were all performers who also published their work. Although they are completely unremembered today, the music of these “unsung heroines” is exquisitely crafted.  

The performance combines the music with dramatic scenes and poetry, which reveal contemporary attitudes towards these women who dared to break with tradition and write. The script is compiled by the writer, musician and broadcaster, Michelene Wandor.

More information about the Barthélemon Circle

Promoters – to request a brochure and a sample CD contact us

To join the mailing list: contact us

See the Diary for news of concerts past and present by the Barthélemon Circle