Penrith composer and vocalist Ella Jarman-Pinto will have a new piece of work premiered to the world when it is broadcast by BBC Radio 3 today as part of its International Women’s Day celebrations.
Ella, 31, was contacted by a producer from BBC Radio 3 in December asking if she would be interested in writing a piece for the occasion.
She “jumped at the chance” and was supported in choosing the librettist to commission poet, Jo Brandon and performers Nazan Fikret and Rebecca Cohen.
Radio 3’s celebration of female composers will include the world premiere of two new works which have been commissioned for International Women’s Day today, one of which is by Ella who has set a text which explores the emotional impact of the pandemic on women.
The poem by Jo Brandon has been set by Ella in a new work for soprano and piano titled Plango: A Cure Lament which will be given its premiere on the In Tune programme, which is broadcast between 5pm and 7pm.
Ella said: “It’s been a really wonderful opportunity to work with some fantastic women making music that is inspired by the pandemic. The song has hope for the future but is a collective lament for what we have been through and looking at the role women, and mothers, have played.”
The piece portrays the grief women have experienced but also their determination for the future.
Ella was previously commissioned by BBC Radio 3 to produce a piece of work during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown and she said for producers to invite her back as one of their flagship commissions for International Women’s Day was amazing and it was an honour to work alongside so many incredible women.
