Foundation of Fantasie - Rosemary Hodgson (solo lute) + Jack Stacey (organ)
Date
Monday 12th January, 11.00AM
Venue
St Paul’s Anglican Church, 12 Templeton St, Clunes 3370
Duration
60 minutes
Tracing the Architecture of Sixteenth Century Lute Music
The Renaissance was a fascinating time in history when music and architecture intersected as a stream of arts and medicine. In both buildings and music, the use of classical order and mathematical ratios combined with symmetry, proportion and harmony, to escalate human experience to the divine. Rosemary Hodgson explores this fascinating topic in an intimate lute recital of works by Alfonso Ferrabosco I. Symbolism pervades this intricately constructed program, which is centered around seven extant fantasies woven together with vocal intabulations, pavans and passamezzi by Elizabeth I’s favorite lutenist. From intimate fantasies to rousing dances, Hodgson’s musicianship and virtuosity will be on full display in this little-known repertoire of the mysterious and controversial, Alfonso Ferrabosco I.
This concert will commence with a solo on St Paul’s rare 19th-century Hamlin & Son organ given by the gifted organist Jack Stacey.
The Renaissance was a fascinating time in history when music and architecture intersected as a stream of arts and medicine. In both buildings and music, the use of classical order and mathematical ratios combined with symmetry, proportion and harmony, to escalate human experience to the divine. Rosemary Hodgson explores this fascinating topic in an intimate lute recital of works by Alfonso Ferrabosco I. Symbolism pervades this intricately constructed program, which is centered around seven extant fantasies woven together with vocal intabulations, pavans and passamezzi by Elizabeth I’s favorite lutenist. From intimate fantasies to rousing dances, Hodgson’s musicianship and virtuosity will be on full display in this little-known repertoire of the mysterious and controversial, Alfonso Ferrabosco I.
This concert will commence with a solo on St Paul’s rare 19th-century Hamlin & Son organ given by the gifted organist Jack Stacey.
Artists
Rosemary Hodgson – Lute
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Australian lutenist, Rosemary Hodgson maintains a vibrant career as soloist and chamber musician. Known for her remarkable sensitivity and technique, she has established an international reputation for her concert presentations and solo lute recordings of captivating subtlety. A Graduate of The University of Melbourne 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. 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 became 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 2024.
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. 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 became 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 2024.
Jack Stacey – organ
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Jack was diagnosed as an autistic music savant when he was four years old. He relied heavily on music as his primary means of communication and expression. It enhanced his understanding of the world around him as he expressed himself through his music. At an early age, it was clear that he was gifted.
In 2008, Jack, with his family, travelled to London for six weeks to receive specialised music tuition from Prof. Adam Ockelford of Roehampton University, a renowned researcher in musical savants.
Jack was among the final prize winners in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation Song Writing Competition and performed his original orchestral composition ‘The Night’s Lullaby’ with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra in 2010. He also participated in consecutive APRA Tropscore competitions and was one of four finalists in the Tropscore Jr. competition in 2013.
Jack completed his VCE Music studies and performed at the Top Class Sounds Concert in 2017. He was honoured to receive the Margaret Schofield Scholarship for Composition for his original piece: “Nightfall’s Lament”. He completed his Bachelor of Music in 2020 at the University of New England, Armidale, with high academic achievements. He was awarded the Cecil Hill Prize and successfully received the Jean M Oxley Memorial Scholarship to contribute funds for his BMus Honours project. He completed his Honours Year in 2021 and then completed his Master of Arts, majoring in Music in 2023, with an RRES Scholarship and Vice Chancellor's Scholar Award.
As of 2023, Jack is currently the pipe organist at St Paul's Anglican Church, Bakery Hill, Victoria, Australia. He continues to study with Dr Mikhail Solovei in Melbourne for Classical Piano repertoire and Pipe Organ with Leigh Askew in Ballarat. He is also studying for his Doctor of Philosophy (in Creative Practice) with UNE as of November 2025.
In 2008, Jack, with his family, travelled to London for six weeks to receive specialised music tuition from Prof. Adam Ockelford of Roehampton University, a renowned researcher in musical savants.
Jack was among the final prize winners in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation Song Writing Competition and performed his original orchestral composition ‘The Night’s Lullaby’ with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra in 2010. He also participated in consecutive APRA Tropscore competitions and was one of four finalists in the Tropscore Jr. competition in 2013.
Jack completed his VCE Music studies and performed at the Top Class Sounds Concert in 2017. He was honoured to receive the Margaret Schofield Scholarship for Composition for his original piece: “Nightfall’s Lament”. He completed his Bachelor of Music in 2020 at the University of New England, Armidale, with high academic achievements. He was awarded the Cecil Hill Prize and successfully received the Jean M Oxley Memorial Scholarship to contribute funds for his BMus Honours project. He completed his Honours Year in 2021 and then completed his Master of Arts, majoring in Music in 2023, with an RRES Scholarship and Vice Chancellor's Scholar Award.
As of 2023, Jack is currently the pipe organist at St Paul's Anglican Church, Bakery Hill, Victoria, Australia. He continues to study with Dr Mikhail Solovei in Melbourne for Classical Piano repertoire and Pipe Organ with Leigh Askew in Ballarat. He is also studying for his Doctor of Philosophy (in Creative Practice) with UNE as of November 2025.
