Dear Mrs Kennedy: Music and Mourning on the Death of a President

The Department of Historical and Classical Studies together with the Society for the History of Emotions invites you to a commemorative event marking the sixtieth anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy. This event comprises readings from the letters and music, much of which is to be performed publicly for the first time.

The assassination elicited an outpouring of grief. A deluge of letters of condolence arrived at the White House from all over the world. Many contained music composed for Jacqueline Kennedy in honour of her husband.

This commemorative presentation of readings from the letters and music is held in conjunction with the Fourth International Conference of the Society for the History of Emotions. The event draws on the original research of Professor Jennifer Clark who will be joined by past and present staff and students of the University of Adelaide, including Michael Ierace (piano), Elizabeth Layton (violin) and David Moran (cello). Much of the music has never been performed publicly.

All welcome!