French composer, musician and producer David Chalmin and Bryce Dessner, composer and guitarist of the legendary American rock band The National, produced the record, Electric Fields with the intention of recreating the songs, melodies and poetry of the female composers of the past through modern instrumentation. ‘As often in our work, we tried to connect periods and instruments in order to erase the frontiers between time and genre.’ At the heart of the project are three iconic female figures from the history of music: the medieval mystical thinker and composer Hildegard von Bingen, the early Baroque composer Barbara Strozzi, and Francesca Caccini, who was known as ‘The Songbird’ (La Cecchina) in the early 17th century. In concert, David Chalmin turns the performance of soprano Barbara Hannigan, who is known for her high-energy performance mode, and the globetrotting Labèque sisters, into something that is at once contemporary and timeless.

From 6.30pm, music historian Gergely Fazekas will introduce the performing artists and the works on the programme of the concert. Entitled Prologue, his speech is in Hungarian and will be held in the Lecture Hall. Attendance is free for concert ticket holders, but prior registration is required. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.