This November, one of Australia’s finest mezzos, Sally-Anne Russell, is coming to Redruth Studio to record a song cycle I composed especially for her. And it's my absolute pleasure to invite you to support this project so I can share this recording with you and the whole world.

The Back Story

In 2023, Sally-Anne dropped into the studio for a cup of tea while she was on tour. I handed her a mezzo piece I’d written during the pandemic, a setting of Emily Dickinson’s Hope Is The Thing With Feathers. It fit her beautiful voice perfectly and when she performed it in a recital in Melbourne she told me the audience was spellbound.

Since then, Sally-Anne has sung Hope around the world — from St Paul’s Cathedral and the Sydney Opera House to Paris, Venice, Turin, Lago di Garda, and St Tropez. After every concert, she’d send me the same message: “the audience absolutely loved it.” and reviews like “Hope brought the house down.”

Something about Dickinson’s beautiful words, Sally-Anne’s glorious voice, and my setting just worked together magically.

About the Music

Inspired, I wanted to develop this into a very special a cappella song-cycle for Sally-Anne. Together we put together poetry from Hone Tūwhare, Sara Teasdale, Christina Rossetti and Frances Frost, which wove a journey of birds, water, and resilient hope and I crafted a Hope song-cycle. The cycle ranges from soaring melodies to cheeky, playful moments to a final, prayer-like reflection, drawing on the melodic shapes of folksongs to suit a cappella perfectly.

And now with some clear days in November, Sally-Anne is coming to Redruth Studio to record the whole cycle, so we can share this music with the world.

Why We Need Your Help

Once upon a time, the costs of recordings were covered in CD sales. In today’s online world we can share the music for free. Which is wonderful for the music, but the costs are covered when communities step in to support them.

That’s why I’m asking you to contribute directly. Your support will cover the practical costs of recording, so Sally-Anne can bring this music to life and I can share the recording with the world.

How You Can Help

Contribute any amount you like. Every donation helps make the recording possible.

$15 or more. As a thank-you, I’ll send you a gift card with a handwritten bar of music of your choice from the cycle on the cover. A personal keepsake of the music you helped bring into the world.

Got No Cash? You know what would be amazing? If you’d please share this campaign with friends who love classical music.

✨ Thank you for helping us bring this music to life. I can’t wait to share it with you.