Ethel Smyth's Prison

Haley Taylor welcomes conductor James Blachly (pictured) to preview his new album of British composer Dame Ethel Smyth’s 1930 masterwork, The Prison. In this world premiere recording, Blachly leads his Experiential Orchestra and Chorus, with vocal soloists Sarah Brailey and Dashon Burton. Smyth was an important figure in the global suffragette movement, and this recording coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote in the United States. Part oratorio and part symphony, The Prison is Smyth's last large-scale composition – precipitated by her growing deafness. Read more about the recording here: https://experientialorchestra.com/smyth.