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On International Women’s Day last year, we performed the world premiere of a piece by the often-forgotten composer, Augusta Holmès - ‘Roland Furieux’, conducted by Valentina Peleggi.

A French composer of Irish descent, Augusta Holmès re-wrote the rulebook for women composers in the nineteenth century. She wrote many large-scale works, often inspired by classic myth, when women were expected to write songs and salon pieces. She wrote a large number of works including two operas, symphonies, choral works and many songs. Also, unusually for a woman in that era, she published and owned her own music.

‘Roland Furieux’ – i.e., ‘Raging Roland’ is a three movement symphony which reveals the spirit of Augusta Holmès’s writing. Fiery, exciting and colourful, it’s full of vigour, with a beautifully sumptuous second movement. We hope you enjoy listening to it!