DAVID LANG
The Little Match Girl Passion
ARVO PÄRT
Stabat Mater
Presented as part of the Venice Biennale's opening weekend, Theatre of Voices is performing David Lang's 'The Little Match Girl Passion' alongside the Venetian string trio, Parco della Musica Contemporanea Ensemble.
‘The Little Match Girl Passion’ was commissioned for the Theater of Voices by Carnegie Hall. The work won a Pulitzer Prize and the group's recording won a Grammy Award in 2010.
David Lang's work, which we are performing in full length, is to text by H.C. Andersen (The Little Girl with the Sulfur Sticks) and the Gospel of Matthew. It focus on neglect, abuse, and sacrifice of a child - the girl/savior - as well as time. When do we pass a suffering soul? When do we leave and when do we help?
The music, in all its gripping simplicity, is a beautiful setting for eternal existential discussions.
It is filled with both pain and great sweetness. A completely unique work for four singers who play percussion and sing.
Theatre of Voices
-Else Torp
-Iris Oja
-Paul Bentley-Angell
-Jakob Block Jespersen
Parco della Musica Contemporanea Ensemble
-Filippo Fattorini, violin
-Luca Sanzò, viola
-Anna Maria Armatys, cello
Paul Hillier, artistic director