JESSA at the Asylum

Join us at The Asylum for an elegant evening of live choral music with one of the Port Arthur Historic Site’s most evocative heritage spaces, where history and harmony meet in unforgettable surroundings. 

Founded in 2022, JESSA is a Hobart-based vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical repertoire.  Under the direction of founder and conductor Jane Edwards, the choir brings together outstanding soprano and alto voices in a programmatic focus on modern choral works, with a particular commitment to Australian composers and high-quality repertoire from overseas.  Their performances are distinguished by clarity of tone, expressive precision and thoughtful programming, reflecting the depth of experience within the ensemble. 

Tasman Peninsula Singers will join JESSA for this special concert, adding a valued local presence to the evening’s performance. 

With the resonant acoustics of the site, and the atmosphere of this remarkable setting enhancing every phrase, this concert offers a rare opportunity to experience refined choral artistry in an intimate and historically significant location. 

Doors open at 5.00pm.  Food and beverages will be available prior to the performance and during a 45-minute interval. 

JESSA Chorus are out here casually nailing everything they put their minds and hearts to – they somehow seem to understand decades-ago me better than I understood myself at the time.  How they do it, I don’t know, but their collective musicality is incredibly unique. 
– Ben van Tienen (composer and musical director) 

Image credit: Moss Halliday Hall