About

A rare Scottish Baroque music manuscript from the 1700s is the feature of an enchanting concert and presentation, hosted at this iconic National Trust property

In Edinburgh, 1734, two women sit down to play tunes they have just copied into a new practice book…
In Goulburn, 1980, a curious musician spies this book atop an old piano…
In Bowral, 2026, two women sit down to play 300-year-old
suites from the Arthour-Wight manuscript on the fiddle and flute…

Uncover the story of the Arthour-Wight Manuscript and experience its music as it would have been heard centuries ago.

Carefully compiled in the 1730s by two young women of Scottish high society, the Arthour-Wight Manuscript – etched with their own handwriting – was discovered more than 200 years later tucked safely inside a piano at Riversdale Homestead, Goulburn’s oldest settlement.

Discover the theories as to how the manuscript made its way to Australia and what the research reveals about the musical pursuits and personal lives of Margrat Arthour – born into an influential and controversial Scottish family in 1710 – and her friend, Helen Wight.

The presentation is followed by a 1-hour concert of music from the Arthour-Wight manuscript played on period instruments. The music has been arranged for baroque violin, viola d’amore, and baroque flute, along with recorded vignettes to weave the historical sound-world of 1730s Edinburgh into the program.

Performed by Evergreen Ensemble duo:

• Shane Lestideau – baroque violin, viola d’amore, research
• Meredith Beardmore – baroque flute, recorded samples

5-6pm - Presentation on the 1734 Arthour-Wight Manuscript, including some of the more controversial and historically significant events in the lives of Margrat Arthour and Helen Wight, a discussion on Scotland's 18thC music scene, and theories as to how the manuscript found its way to Australia.

6-6:30pm - Interval with drinks and canapés

6:30-7:30pm - Concert of music from the Arthour-Wight Manuscript.

This event is generously supported by the National Trust of Australia, Robert Salzer Foundation, and presented by Evergreen Ensemble—established in 2013 for the promotion of cultural and artistic exploration, historical research, and exchange between folk music and art music practices.

www.evergreen-ensemble.com
www.shanelestideau.com
www.meredithbeardmore.com

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Retford Park
1325 Old S Rd, Bowral NSW 2576

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