Chimera Ensemble

• Richard Barrett     new work (premiere)
• Salvatore Sciarrini     Infinito Nero
• Rebecca Saunders     Molly’s Song 3 – Shades of Crimson

The Chimera Ensemble opens its festival concert with the premiere of a substantial new work by Richard Barrett.  Continuing the Festival’s theme of women composers and texts by and about women, the Ensemble gives a rare performance of Sciarrino’s Infinito Nero, a study of madness and mysticism based on texts by the 17th-century visionary Maria Maddalena de’Pazzi. Silence is integral to this work, the instruments quietly and disconcertingly mimic the sounds of breathing and heartbeats, punctuated by deranged vocal outbursts.

Rebecca Saunders’ Molly’s Song 3 references Molly Bloom’s monologue from the final pages of Joyce’s Ulysses with a trio of viola, alto flute and steel-stringed guitar taking on roles of distinct, minute sonic detail. The concert also includes new works by student composers.