Jane Austen expert Dr Gillian Dooley will perform the famed author’s personal music collection at a South Australian Maritime Museum concert this Thursday, as part of this month’s History Festival.

World-renowned English novelist Austen was a devoted amateur pianist, who was said to commence each day with music.

Flinders English literature expert Dr Dooley, who is also an accomplished singer, has been researching Austen’s sheet music collection for the past decade. She will perform Songs of the Sea with PhD candidate Raechel Damarell (who was previously a staff member at Flinders University library.)

Many of the tunes tell of sailors and the sea, serving as a reminder that Britain was at war throughout most of Jane Austen’s lifetime and two of her brothers were naval officers.

The evening concert will also include a love song written by Matthew Flinders, who was a colleague of Jane Austen’s younger brother.

Event details:

Where:                SA Maritime Museum, 126 Lipson St, Port Adelaide

When:                  Thursday 10 May 2018, 6:00PM – 8:20PM

Cost:                     $30 for adults, book online (bookings are essential.)

(See also previous news blog: Words and music married well for ‘immortal’ Austen.)