An Evening with Ethel Smyth

A singular artistic spirit whose life united musical passion, literary brilliance, and a commitment to social change: Ethel Smyth (1858–1944) was a composer, conductor, writer, and outspoken champion of women's rights. Uncompromising in her artistic vision and possessed of a keen intellect and a delightfully irreverent wit, she forged her own path in an era that imposed narrow constraints on women's participation in the arts.

Winnaretta Singer, one of the leading figures in the social network surrounding Impressionism, whose activities are highlighted in the Museum Barberini’s upcoming exhibition The Impressionists: Monet, Morisot, Renoir, and Their Networks (November 7, 2026 – February 21, 2027), was a close friend of Ethel Smyth and one of her most important patrons.

This evening invites audiences to rediscover a remarkable figure whose music and writings merit renewed attention. Maren Kroymann reads texts and letters by Ethel Smyth and Virginia Woolf, while Sophia Maeno and Kyra Steckeweh bring the composer's musical world to life through her songs and piano works. Together, they create a multifaceted portrait of a woman who challenged convention, embraced friendship and

WortMusikWelten: An Evening with Ethel Smyth
November 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Nikolaisaal Potsdam

Ticket holders receive discounted admission (€10) to the exhibition The Impressionists: Monet, Morisot, Renoir, and Their Network (November7, 2026 –February 21, 2027) at the Museum Barberini. Admission is free for visitors under 18.