Nuns, kings, and comic strips inform an evening of unforgettable music in Quests: Scenes for Solo Voice.
On February 28, Trinity Western University presents acclaimed soprano Phoebe MacRae in a performance of dramatic works for unaccompanied voice. A guest artist concert hosted by TWU’s School of the Arts, Media and Culture, the evening unites music and theatre in a diverse program spanning pieces from the 12th Century to the present.
MacRae, a UBC alumna with a Master of Music (Opera), was instrumental in the selection of the repertoire. “What inspires me about this collection of works are the pervasive themes of quest…for power, for love, for enjoyment,” reflects MacRae. “The material sheds light on the human condition with pieces chosen for their beauty, tragedy, comedy, and even absurdity. It has the potential both to challenge and confirm your concept of what music is.”
A versatile and dynamic artist whose own musical creations include the quirky cabaret Leave it to Diva, MacRae is particularly eager to inhabit eight different roles in King Harald’s Saga by Judith Weir. An opera in three acts with a running time of less than ten minutes, the work’s themes of war and treachery are countered by the pacing of a comedy routine.
“TWU has a long-standing commitment to guest artists,” says Associate Professor of Music Allan Thorpe, D.M.A., “In this concert we are also proud to premiere the work of SAMC composer David Squires, Ph.D., Come Away, his piece inspired by the Song of Solomon and originally written in 1977, has been revised with a new text especially for this performance.”
The medieval work on the program is Ursula Antiphons by Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a nun who is one of the earliest women composers identified by name. Among the evening’s contemporary works, Cathy Berbarian’s Stripsody is known for its unusual notation. The piece owes its title to the comic strip style that the score emulates. Consider it the “graphic novel” of the evening.
Rounding out the program are an excerpt from Hommage à T.S. Eliot by Sofia Gubaidulina, Récitation 3 by Georges Aperghis, and excerpts from Love Songs by Ana Sokolovich.
Quests: Scenes for Solo Voice plays one night only on February 28 at 8pm at Trinity Western University. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. For more information, visit www.twu.ca/samc.