Song by explorer Matthew Flinders in baroque orchestra concert

One of South Australia’s most famous explorers was also a musician who turned his hand to writing songs, which are the starting point for a concert by the Adelaide Baroque Orchestra.

Adelaide Baroque violist Heidi von Bernewitz and violone player Rob Nairn with the bust of explorer Matthew Flinders and soprano Bethany Hill at Flinders University. Picture: Tom Huntley

English explorer Matthew Flinders is famed for his circumnavigation of Australia – but few people realise that he also played and wrote music.

One of Flinders’ own compositions, My Evening Song, will be featured in a new arrangement for the Adelaide Baroque Orchestra’s upcoming concert Music of the Ships.

Orchestra founder Rob Nairn said that Flinders’ meeting with French explorer Nicolas Baudin at Encounter Bay in 1802 was the starting point for the concert theme.

“Flinders did play the flute, and there was quite a bit of music on those journeys used as recreation for the crews,” he said.

England had been at war with France, and on his return journey Flinders was incarcerated in Mauritius for seven years but frequently played with fellow musicians.

“He wrote prolifically to his wife, and that’s where a lot of the mentions of the composers in this program come from … including this song,” Mr Nairn said.

“He wrote several verses of words for his wife Ann, and then she actually completed several verses as well.”

Flinders’ melody, which will be sung by soprano Bethany Hill, was adapted from the andante of a symphony by Haydn – with some differences where he possibly remembered the original notes incorrectly.

Music of the Ships is at Pilgrim Uniting Church, August 22, 6pm and 8pm.

Book at adelaidebaroque.com.au