CONCEPT

Seeking to update the definition of liederabend for the 21st century, independent producing companies Beth Morrison Projects, Opera on Tap and VisionIntoArt join forces to present the most ambitious, and comprehensive art song festival of the season. Building on the festival’s critically-acclaimed premiere in 2009 (Best of 2009 in Classical and Opera Timeout NYC), the producers have expanded the festival exponentially to present works of 21 composers including 6 world premieres over the course of 3 nights, encompassing an explosive array of styles presented within a visual palate of projection design, newly commissioned films and sculptural lighting design.

21C LIEDERABEND COMMISSIONING PROGRAM

21c Liederabend was conceived with the idea that a commissioning aspect would be a featured part of the project and that the selected composer would be an emerging as opposed to an established composer. Acknowledging the fact that women are often under-represented as creators on the contemporary classical scene, the producers have chosen to feature them through the commissioning aspect of the festival; beginning with the commissioning of composer Kamala Sankaram in 2009 and continuing with the commissioning of Du Yun in 2011.

Du Yun "Using narrative, singing, tech gadgets, homemade instruments, interpolated with ensemble writing, this new piece for 21c Liederbend, tells a snapshot of memory-flashback. A story about someone (or something) urgently needing to be something ---anything--- other than herself. A mime gone wrong. A desire withered."-Du Yun