One of the many wonderful things about being a “public musicologist” is that you never know when an audience member might surprise you with an unexpected invitation: in this case, a chance to present at a gala event celebrating Jane Austen hosted by the Southwest Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA)! This “multi-day super regional gala” takes as its theme “A Star Is Born” and will feature a wide variety of speakers. The title of my presentation is “The Musical Worlds of Austen: History & Cinema” and explore the musical culture of Austen’s world as well as how these sounds have been integrated and/or completely reinterpreted in film adaptations including Emma (1996 and 2020), Pride and Prejudice (2005), and Sense and Sensibility (1995).

My session will take place at the beautiful Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Click on links for more information on JASNA and the Southwestern Chapter.