Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble Premieres 'Singing Through the Darkness' June 24, 2010

June 24th-26th at 8 pm; June 27th at 4 pm

Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble concludes its 2009-2010 season with the world premiere of "Singing Through Darkness," a new international vocal-theater work created in collaboration with Ukrainian composer/music director Mariana Sadovska and German stage director Andre Erlen. "Singing Through Darkness" contemplates the dynamic, shifting relationships that link history, memory, and the creative imagination, and the role of music in sustaining the human spirit through times of conflict.
"Singing Through Darkness" is a powerful sonic collage of personal histories distilled in folk songs about war from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and beyond. These songs provide a mirror through which today's global challenges can be reflected upon. Presented as a staged song cycle utilizing the far reaches of vocal expression, "Singing Through Darkness" weaves together songs and stories in praise of homelands and heroes, historical ballads, songs of conscription, imprisonment, occupation, forced immigration and loss, with songs of resistance, veiled political satire, faith, survival and liberation. Songs will be sung both in traditional forms as well as in original multi-layered settings created by composer Mariana Sadovska in collaboration with Kitka's singers. While much of the performance will give voice to stories from specific times, places and perspectives, it will also embody the collaborators' subjective backward gaze as an international group of women living in a globalized 21st century, where once-rigid notions of place, national/ethnic identity and "otherness" are quickly dissolving.

In addition to the performances, Kitka and Mariana Sadovska will present two vocal-theater workshops Sundays, June 6 and 13, 2-5 p.m. at a venue to be announced.

Official Website: http://www.kitka.org