The Irini Ensemble sings to the sibyls in Barcelona as part of the Trànsits [Transitions] programme
“O Sidera” is the new activity in the “Trànsits: músiques de l’esperit” programme, organised by the Museu de la Música de Barcelona and the Religious Affairs Office (OAR) as part of L’Auditori’s “Power or Revolt” season. This session will take place on 14 March from 6.30 pm, at the Sant Pau del Camp Monastery. It will feature a conversation with experts followed by a concert by the Irini Ensemble that combines Byzantine liturgical music with the sounds of the Franco-Flemish Renaissance.
A new session that’s part of the “Trànsits: músiques de l’esperit” [Transitions: The Music of the Spirit] programme will be taking place at 6.30 pm on 14 March at the Sant Pau del Camp Monastery, organised by the Religious Affairs Office (OAR) and the Music Museum. Entitled “O Sidera”, this new activity will focus on Byzantine and Franco-Flemish Renaissance religious music.
It will explore the figure of the sibyl both within the framework of the Byzantine liturgical music belonging to the ancient Eastern Roman Empire (395-1453), and the Franco-Flemish School, a Renaissance school of 15th and 16th century vocal music in what is now the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. In line with the theme of the programme, this session will involve a conversation about this type of manifestation and some of the religious dimensions that are conceptualised and channelled through the figure of the sibyl. A concert by the guest group, the Irini Ensemble, follows, giving expression to these ideas.
According to the history and myths of ancient Greece, the sibyls are prophetesses who can read the future. These mythological personages were adopted by Christianity as prophetic, almost apocalyptic figures, and as representatives of tomorrow and of an inexorable destiny. For this reason, they have been the subject of numerous artistic and musical representations within a variety of Christian doctrines.
In what will be their first performance in Spain, the Irini Ensemble will be presenting a programme that combines a repertoire of Greek chants from ancient Constantinople, notable for their depth and austerity with Prophetiae Sibyllarym, the series of motets by Orlande de Lassus, one of the most famous works of the Franco-Flemish Renaissance with a chromatic, polyphonic and expressive language.
O SIDERA.
CONVERSA with Margarida Barbal, teacher at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC) and singer specialised in medieval sacred music; Juan Carlos Asensio, musician and musicologist who specialises in Gregorian chant, teacher at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC) and director of the group Schola Antiqua, and Lila Hajosi, musicologist, lyrical singer specialising in ancient music, and founder and artistic director of the Irini Ensemble.
Limited capacity. Entrance is free but prior booking is required HERE.
- Date: 14 March
- Venue: Sant Pau del Camp Monastery (C/ Sant Pau, 99)
- Time: 6.30 pm
CONCERT by the Irini Ensemble. Programme: “Le chant des Sibylles” (Ioanis Koukouzélis, 13th century), “Prophetiae Sibyllarum” (Orlando di Lasso, c.1531-1594), “Cheruvikon, Hymne des chérubins” (anon.), “Agni Parthene” (c. 1900), “Gnosin agnoston gnonai” (anon., c. 629) and i “Polyeleos” (anon.).
Limited capacity. Tickets cost €15 and are available HERE.
- Date: 14 March
- Venue: Sant Pau del Camp Monastery (C/ Sant Pau, 99)
- Time: 8 pm