"A joy to listen to..."
"A joy to listen to and I consider Rosemary Hodgson’s artistry on the lute most inspiring."
Unmasked
Globe Theatre
Winchelsea VIC, Australia
Description
UNMASKED
Lute Music from Women’s Manuscripts
Rural Arts Victoria invites you to the final concert of the 2026 Winchelsea Music Season, presenting one of Australia’s foremost lutenists, Rosemary Hodgson, in Unmasked — a captivating solo recital in the intimate surrounds of Winchelsea’s historic Globe Theatre.
Unmasked, is Rosemary Hodgson’s stunning program of solo lute music from Jacobean England. The concert draws on three of the most significant manuscripts of the time, Jane Pickeringe, Margaret Board and ML lutebooks, which were all owned and penned by 17th century women and give a fascinating insight into the virtuosity of domestic music making. From intimate fantasies to rousing mask tunes, works by Robert Johnson, Daniel Bachelor, John Stuart and John Dowland are sure to enchant and delight.
Through these remarkable manuscripts, Unmasked offers a glimpse into the musical lives of women in 17th-century England, bringing to light a repertoire that might otherwise have remained hidden. In the hands of Rosemary Hodgson, whose distinguished career spans solo performances, acclaimed recordings and leading early-music ensembles, this rare musical world comes vividly to life.
Set within the historic Globe Theatre, a cherished cultural landmark in Winchelsea, this concert brings together extraordinary musicianship, heritage and the joy of discovery. The Globe’s intimate atmosphere offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the subtle beauty and expressive range of the lute at close quarters. The concert is also low-sensory friendly, offering a more relaxed and welcoming environment for audience members who benefit from a gentler concert experience.
In keeping with the Winchelsea Music Season’s tradition of country hospitality, your ticket includes our signature community supper, with all catering entirely gluten-free. Stay afterwards to share conversation, connect with fellow music lovers and enjoy the warmth of our musical community.
The Winchelsea Music Season, presented by Rural Arts Victoria, celebrates artistic excellence in regional communities, connecting exceptional performers with local audiences and breathing new life into our heritage spaces. We believe a concert is about more than the music: it is an opportunity to gather, connect and share an experience. Join us for our final concert of the year as we conclude the season with an afternoon of rare musical treasures, thoughtful hospitality and the welcoming spirit that makes the Winchelsea Music Season unique.
Gallery
Lineup
Rosemary Hodgson
Rosemary Hodgson maintains a vibrant career as Australia’s virtuoso lutenist. Specialising in the performance of historic guitars and lutes, she is regularly engaged in major festivals, recordings, and concert series throughout Australia and abroad. A Graduate of Melbourne University studying with Professor John Griffiths, Rosemary completed her post graduate studies at the Royal College of Music London, with Jakob Lindberg. She performs regularly with Rosa Mundi, Auncient Hermony and La Compania and can be heard on numerous recordings such as, Music of the Spanish Renaissance (Move) Rosa Mundi (MaiseydayMusic), El Fuego (ABC Classics), Ay Portugal (ABC Classics) and Destino Mexicano (La Compania Records). As a continuo player, Rosemary has enjoyed performances with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Opera Australia, Orchestra Victoria, E21 and Latitude 37 among others. As a recording artist, Rosemary released her first solo recording Rosa on her own label, followed by Forlorn Hope Fancy–renaissance dances and fantasies for lute, as her solo debut on ABC Classics. Sorrow Stay (ABC Classics), an album of Dowland lute songs was released shortly after, also to international acclaim. Her latest solo album Walsingham released in September 2022 on MOVE records, is receiving outstanding reviews. Rosemary continues to create fascinating programs featuring early plucked string music and has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with many of the nation’s most revered actors such as Rhys McConnochie, Helen Morse and the late Charles “Bud‟ Tingwell. In 2009, the opening year of the Melbourne Recital Centre, Musica Viva presented Rosemary as the first lutenist to play a solo recital in the glorious new Elizabeth Murdoch Hall. With a strong passion for music education, in 2019 Rosemary curated the first Four Winds Lute School in Bermagui NSW, featuring Jakob Lindberg as Guest tutor and in September travelled to Bremen, Germany to attend the inaugural International Conference on Lute Study in Higher Education prior to commencing teaching lute at the University of Melbourne, Conservatorium of Music in 2020. In April 2024, Rosemary was artistic director of the inaugural Melbourne International Lute festival and following the success of her latest album Walsingham, Rosemary performed an acclaimed solo concert in London for the UK Lute society in September of that year. In April 2026, rosemary continued to put Australian early music on the map, directing the second Melbourne International Lute Festival, which focused on the works of the great Dowland on his 400th anniversary.
Testimonials
"The lute world's new star"
“Described quite rightly as “the lute world’s new star”, she’s definitely one to watch!”
"A splendid example"
"Hodgson has rarely sounded better to my ears with carefully judged phrasing and a reassuring purity of articulation. A splendid example of the instrument’s expressive capabilities."
"Beautiful recordings"
“Keep making beautiful recordings please."
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