GRACE AND SPIRITUS PREMIERES
" THE REED" COMPOSED BY JENNIFER GRIFFITH
TEXT BY J.M. RUMI
We will perform works by women composers in three centuries, the Italian composer Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677), the early twentieth century French composer Lili Boulanger, and the contemporary New York composer Jennifer Griffith. In addition, there will be selections by Samuel Barber (1910-1981) on the centenary of his birth. The theme of women in love continues with pieces by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) and Franz Schubert (1797-1828).
The concert features a new composition commissioned by Grace & Spiritus, "The Reed" by composer Jennifer Griffith with the assistance of a grant from the New york City Department of Cultural Affairs. ”The Song of the Reed”is the prologue to the Masnavi, an epic narrative poem written by the 13th century Persian poet, J.M. Rumi. This new English translation of the text is by the Iranian-born writer Zahra Partovi.
"The Reed", sung in both Persian and English, is written for four mixed choral voices, narrator, mezzo and tenor soloists, viola, cello, clarinet, piano and percussion. Sarah Craft will sing the mezzo-soprano, James Ruff is featured as tenor; Jason Asbury will play piano. Also performing will be clarinetist Anna Maria Baeza, violist Erin Sykes, cellist Joachim Woitun, and percussionist Cory Bracken. The solos in Les Sirenes and Hymne au Soleil by Lili Boulanger will be sung by Emily Serotta.
The mezzo-soprano for Monteverdi's Lamento della Ninfa is Sarah Craft. Andrea Skafish is featured as the soprano in Barber's Under the Willow Tree from the opera, Vanessa.
Friday, May 21, 2010 at 7pm
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
85 South Oxford Street, Fort Greene
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 7 pm
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church
157 Montague Street at Clinton St, Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 4 pm
Old First Reformed Church
126 7th Ave at Carroll Street, Park Slope
Tickets available at the door and at Smarttix- www.smarttix.com
Admission: $15, $12 for Seniors and Students
Find us on Facebook groups: Grace and Spiritus Chorale of Brooklyn
for more info about the composer: www.jennifergriffith.com
for more info about "The Reed": www.zahrapartovi.com
Find us on Facebook groups: Grace and Spiritus Chorale of Brooklyn
for more info about the composer: www.jennifergriffith.com
for more info about "The Reed": www.zahrapartovi.com
