The British Council worldwide is celebrating Charles Darwin’s 200th bicentenary of this birth and the 150th anniversary of his landmark publication “On the Origin of Species” with the Darwin Now project. “And Music Perhaps…” will be the last and the most unique element in a series of events in Hong Kong marking the famous scientist’s birth and influential achievements.

Charles’s achievement was extraordinary, but without the support and love of his family, especially of his wife Emma, the story might have been very different.  Their life together encompassed triumph and tragedy, humour and heartache.

For this musical portrait, Muse have chosen music that reflects the different facets of their lives and which may have been heard by Charles or played by Emma who was an accomplished pianist. The music includes works by the great composers: Purcell, Handel, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven Chopin, Mendelssohn and ends with a song composed by Charles's great nephew, one of England's greatest composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams. The concert will be a rich and thought-provoking evening pairing science and music.  

This programme will be performed by MUSE, a voice and piano trio from the UK. MUSE consists of Andrew Bannerman (narrator), Richard Frewer (tenor), and Lauren Hibberd (piano).

Date: Thursday 29 October 2009

Time: 7:30pm – 9:15pm

Venue: Loke Yew Hall, 1/F, Main Building, The University of Hong Kong

Programme is free but please e-mail science@britishcouncil.org.hk to register or if you have further enquiries.