Smyth: The Prison

Ethel Smyth was a trailblazing English composer and suffragist whose indomitable spirit and musical prowess left an indelible mark on the early 20th century. Born in 1858, Smyth defied the societal norms of her time, forging a remarkable career as one of the most accomplished female composers in a male-dominated environment. Her compositions span a wide range, including songs, piano works, chamber music, orchestral pieces, choral works, and operas. Among her most notable works is 'The March of the Women,' an anthem for the women's suffrage movement, and the opera 'The Wreckers.' Smyth's fierce independence and political activism were as legendary as her music. A close friend of Emmeline Pankhurst, she was a lifelong disruptor, fighting for women's rights and demanding recognition for her complex and compelling compositions. Her body of work and her personal story continue to inspire, making Ethel Smyth a true icon of musical and social progress.