19.30 – 21.00, followed by album signing. Pre-event dining from 18.30.

Join us for an intimate evening of conversation and music with award-winning composer, producer, and broadcaster Hannah Peel, and Tim O’Brien, Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, in a discussion chaired by Professor Teresa Anderson, MBE.

This exclusive event features the world premiere of Hannah’s brand-new composition for the BBC Philharmonic, a fascinating exploration of sounds foraged from around Jodrell Bank, created for BBC Radio 4’s upcoming celebration of the Observatory’s 80th anniversary.

The evening also marks the re-release of Hannah’s critically acclaimed album, Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopea, a seven-movement odyssey exploring one person’s journey to outer space:

“Celestial choruses, shimmering drones and trumpet solos have a melancholic sparkle; slabs of brass and loops of sombre, sweeping strings lend pathos and prompt wonder. Mighty stuff.” The Evening Standard.

Together, Hannah and Tim will delve into the sonification of scientific data, Hannah’s creative process and relationship with Jodrell Bank, and the powerful intersection of space and storytelling.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience how science and music converge, uncovering new ways of understanding the Universe through sound, creativity, and collaboration.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet Hannah after the event for a special album signing. There is also the option to join us for pre-event dining at our fantastic First Light Café:

About the speakers:

Tim O’Brien is a Professor of Astrophysics and Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. Tim has published around 150 research papers, and carries out research into exploding stars using telescopes around the world and in space.  He is the co-founder of bluedot festival and has played a leading role in celebrating the scientific heritage of Jodrell Bank.

Mercury Prize, Ivor Novello and Emmy-nominated, RTS and Music Producers Guild winning composer and bluedot headliner Hannah Peel joins the dots between science and the creative arts through her explorative approach to electronic, classical and traditional music

From her own solo albums to composing soundtracks like Game of Thrones: The Last Watch, or to orchestrating and conducting for artists like Paul Weller, her work is ambitious and forward-looking, always adapting and re-inventing new genres and hybrid musical forms. Hannah is a regular weekly broadcaster for BBC Radio 3’s Night Tracks.

Find out more about Hannah Peel’s work in this behind-the-scenes look at her headline performance at bluedot: