Fri 4/12 @ 7:30PM
Serbian-American composer Aleksandra Vrebalov is hard to pin down. She’s written more than 100 works, including operas, symphonic pieces, film music, choral works, music for dance ensembles and sound installations. She’s collaborated with all sorts of music ensembles, as well as artists in other disciplines. Her music could generally be termed “classical” but it draws on various other genres as well.
Her evening-length piece Antennae was commissioned by the Cleveland Museum of Art and The Cleveland Foundation, composed in 2019 following a visit to the museum to steep herself in its space, architecture and art. It was inspired by the Byzantine icon of the Mother of God and Infant Christ (Virgin Eleousa) on view in the Robert P. Bergman Memorial Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as a monastery in Serbia where monks engage in Byzantine chanting. Originally planned for a 2020, it was postponed by the pandemic, but it will now be performed there, with vocal ensemble Capella Romana singing Byzantine chant, joined by 20 singers and other local musicians, including organists, trumpet players and percussionists. The performance will take place in various galleries before coming together in the Ames Family Atrium.
It’s free and no ticket is required. Get more information here.
clevelandart.org/aleksandra-vrebalov
Cleveland, OH 44106