Local resident Helen Thomson is not your average soprano.
True, she’s a veteran performer, her credits encompassing work under such greats as Koopman, Harnoncourt and Herreweghe, with recent, more local work including solo appearances with Van Diemen’s Band, Festival of Voices, the Friends’ Choir / DSO, Tas Chorale / Argyle Orchestra, TSO Chorus, and (further afield) with Ludovico’s Band and La Compania, among others.
But Helen also composes – she and her Baroque ensemble, Sequenza, recently performed her extended cycle, Birdsong, commissioned with the support of the Regional Arts Fund, as part of Ten Days on the Island, and a forthcoming work, A Tasmanian Requiem (libretto by Greg Lehman with Jim Everett and Frances Butler, video projection by Julie Gough, Frances Butler producing), is slated to premiere at the Theatre Royal in April 2018.
And conducts: her work with QTas Choir has been supported by Tasmanian Regional Arts to mentor practice-broadening songwriters, as well as to create new songs inspired by stories from Tasmanian LGBTIQ community. She also conducts the Conservatorium Vocal Ensemble and the Sing Australia choirs.
And coaches – both privately and (as of this semester) teaching Classical Voice at the UTas Conservatorium of Music.
But for all that, Thomson is not yet satisfied with the the breadth – or, more accurately, depth – of her musical practice. “What I need most,” she says, eyes twinkling, “is a bottom.” …Meaning a very, very low instrument. Of course.
“A couple of years ago I briefly had the use of a Violone, and it was life-changing,” continues Thomson. “For the first time, I felt I’d found an instrument that fitted me; and even during those short months, I experienced moments of that amazing feeling of being one with instrument, as it lay snuggled against most of my front half, and those extraordinary deep tones vibrated through my whole body. It was pretty sensual. And yeah; I got hooked,” Thomson laughingly concedes.
Her plan is typically unconventional: she plans to run a crowdfunding campaign, beginning on Thursday July 27, to acquire Tasmania’s first Violone. “Let’s face it – every soprano needs some depth. This is my way of getting it.”
But why a violone, particularly? Why crowdfunding? and why now?
“The violone will be incredibly useful for my own Early Music practice, for use in Sequenza (who are supporting this project staunchly with many hours of volunteer time!), and, I hope, for the growing professional Tasmanian Early Music scene generally – adding a wonderful “16′ stop” to continuo sections. But above all – I want to acquire a Violone for Tasmania because of the extraordinary sound. It has the growling depth of a double bass, but the frets produce a wonderfully ringing sound across its whole range, while the extra strings make for a surprisingly sweet, high upper register. It’s just absolutely beautiful.”
Thomson is choosing to run her rewards-based crowdfunding drive through Pozible. “It’s a really clever quid-pro-quo system. You, as the supporter, are effectively pre-purchase a recording, or tickets to an exclusive event, or some other unique experience that only supporters get to be part of. And I then funnel those funds into acquiring the instrument. I’m hoping that the hype around the campaign might also allow us to connect to a new crop of Sequenza supporters. I’d love for our work to be getting out there more broadly, because (though I say it myself) Sequenza is waycool.”
As to the timing: “Oh, this is the coolest part,” says Thomson enthusiastically. “I got accepted to Creative Partnerships Australia’s Match program this year. What it means is that, for every dollar I raise, CPA contributes another dollar. That’s an unmissable opportunity – double the bang for our bucks!”
Helen will host two free live launch events, incorporating food, drink, music, and the opportunity to support the campaign (and reap the rewards!), on Saturday July 29 – one at the Wesley Hall, Melville St Hobart at 2pm, and the other in Cygnet at Southern Swan, Mary St, at 6:30. Entry to the events is free …
