Monday 4 May, 8.15pm, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
This year’s Edinburgh Tradfest commission A’ Chiad Litir (The First Letter), is a tribute to the life of Scots 16th-century poet Marie Maitland, popularised in recent years as the “Scottish Sappho”.
Presented by folk singer, songwriter and composer Josie Duncan and a specially formed band, it will celebrate Marie’s powerful lesbian love poetry through new music and songs, reflecting on her life, her relationships and the world she lived in, whilst also challenging the notion that queerness could ever be considered ‘modern’.
Marie Maitland was a 16th century Scottish poet born into a wealthy and influential family in East Lothian. She was a noblewoman and the daughter of Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington, a prominent Scottish statesman, judge and poet. When Marie’s father lost his sight, Marie acted as his scribe and began writing her own verse.
For this new music commission Josie, who works both in English and Scots Gaelic, has written a variety of new songs and instrumental tracks inspired by Marie Maitland’s life and poetry. These include several composed in the style of a ‘waulking’ song, a type of singing that was traditionally performed by women while fulling newly woven tweed cloth usually in the Hebrides.
In addition, historian Ashley Douglas, who has written extensively on Marie Maitland and brought her work to light, will read a verse known as Poem 49 from a manuscript created by Marie.
This powerful nine-stanza poem is one of the very earliest examples of lesbian verse in any language in Europe since Sappho herself (620-570 BC). In it, Marie speaks openly and passionately of her love for another woman, even stating her desire for the two women to be married. In the final stanzas, she reluctantly accepts the impossibility of their formal union, but nonetheless vows her ever-lasting devotion.
Speaking about the commission, singer songwriter Josie Duncan said: “Marie Maitland’s poetry is a rare and powerful testament to queer love in 16th-century Scotland. Through this music, I hope to amplify her passionate, brave and vulnerable voice and celebrate a story that still resonates deeply today.
“I felt an immediate emotional connection to her work. Marie, like Sappho, wanted to be remembered and she is because of Ashley Douglas, who I knew had to be part of this show.
“It’s an honour to have her work to be inspired by so many years later. Work like this challenges the idea that queer love could ever be considered ‘modern’.”
Historian and author Ashley Douglas said: “Women who love women have always existed – and remarkable women like Marie Maitland, who bequeathed us her love story, in her own hand, left us the records that prove it.
“When those stories are recovered from the margins, they have the power to validate and inspire the women who love women of today. I’m overjoyed that Marie’s story has so inspired Josie to create such beautiful music and song, and I’m so excited to work with her in continuing the legacy of Scotland’s sixteenth-century Sappho.”
Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producer of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Through our connections with Bogha-Frois (Queer Voices in Folk), Edinburgh Tradfest has always been an ally to LGBTQ+ artists, so Josie’s suggestion for a show about Marie Maitland really appealed to us.
“It is a fascinating subject, and is proof-positive that queerness was not invented in the 21st century. Working with Josie on this special commission has been an enlightening and inspiring experience, and I am really looking forward to seeing the finished show on Monday 4 May.”
About Josie Duncan
Josie Duncan is an award-winning singer, songwriter and composer from the Outer Hebridean Isle of Lewis. In 2017, she was awarded the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and in 2021 her acclaimed New Voices commission for Celtic Connections, showcased her versatility as a composer and performer, and led to her debut album As the Moonlight Melts a collection of self-penned songs.
Josie has performed at major festivals across the UK and beyond, including Celtic Colours (Canada), the National Celtic Festival (Australia), Tønder Festival (Denmark), Sidmouth Folk Festival and the Hebridean Celtic Festival, for which she composed the 2022 Opening Concert commission. Alongside her work as a performer, she is an emerging composer for film and theatre, bringing her distinctive melodic touch and sensitivity to visual storytelling.
A’ Chiad Litir has been specially commissioned by The Soundhouse Organisation, who programme Edinburgh Tradfest (1-11 May). It will be performed by singer songwriter Josie Duncan (vocals, harp, tenor guitar and effects); Charlotte Printer (bass and vocals), Laura Jane Wilkie (fiddle), Eilidh Rodgers (percussion), Jenny Clifford (guitar), and author and historian Ashley Douglas (spoken word). With special guests: Kisna Panesar (concertina) and Rae MacIver (piano), a Glasgow-based duo sharing a love of Scottish and Irish traditional music, blended with contemporary influences.