Special performance and conversation
Alice Giles is a renowned harpist and granddaughter of Cecil Madigan, meteorologist and member of the 1911–14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
In 2011 Alice followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and journeyed to Antarctica, becoming the first professional musician to perform on the frozen continent.
In this special event, Alice will reflect on these two very different expeditions with film and sound recordings, music and readings from Cecil Madigan’s diaries.
She will also share stories of her own experiences and the challenges of taking two large harps to one of the most extreme environments on Earth and working with the unpredictable Antarctic wind.
Date
Thursday 24 September
Time
6pm to 8pm
Location
Gandel Atrium
Tickets
Adult (16+) $40
Concession $35
Friends $30
Includes entry in the draw to win a signed copy of the stunning Way Down South book, plus access to the Antarctica exhibition and shop before and after the event.
Live captions and hearing loop available
Meet our special guest
Alice Giles is a world-renowned harp soloist. She presented her first solo recital aged 13 in Sydney and gained international attention when she won first prize in the 8th Israel International Harp Contest at the age of 21. Since then, she has performed around the world, both in recital and with orchestra.
A recipient of an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship, Alice performed at Mawson station in 2011 to commemorate the centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, of which her great-grandfather was a member.
'Alice in Antarctica', a multimedia program based on her experiences, has been performed in San Francisco, Oslo, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Alice is a lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was Head of Harp Area and Associate Professor at the ANU School of Music from 2000 to 2011. Her summer harp course is held annually in Kioloa on the south coast of New South Wales.
In 2017 Alice was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts.
Win a signed copy of Way Down South
By purchasing a ticket for this event, you automatically go in the draw to win a copy of Way Down South from documentary travel photographer Richard I’Anson.
Featuring colour photographs of the wildlife and landscape of Antarctica and the South Polar region, this stunning book includes text from experienced polar adventurers Greg Mortimer OAM and Howard Whelan. It is signed by the author and contributors.
Please ensure your name and email address are provided at time of ticket purchase. If you do not wish to enter the draw, please email programs@nma.gov.au. The competition will be drawn at the event. See competition terms and conditions.
Antarctica exhibition and shop
To complete your evening, visit our Antarctica exhibition and shop, open from 5.45 to 6.30pm and 8 to 8.45pm.
Image: Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow Alice Giles playing her harp at Mawson. Photo: Glenn Jacobson, Commonwealth of Australia / Australian Antarctic Division