AL-QUDS: JERUSALEM

DEBUT CONCERT AT THE MET

FRIDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2016 / 7:00 P.M. / TICKETS: $65.00

Mohammed Fairouz, composer
Naomi Shihab, poetry
Andrew Cyr, conductor
Eve Gigliotti, mezzo-soprano
ModernMedieval Trio of Voices
Axion Estin Foundation
Metropolis Ensemble

“One of the most talented composers of his generation.”
— BBC World News

In conjunction with The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s current major exhibition Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven, MetLiveArts commissioned composer Mohammed Fairouz and poet Naomi Shihab Nye to create a musical response in the form of a new song cycle for mezzo-soprano, strings, and percussion. Members of Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble (led by conductor Andrew Cyr) and mezzo-soprano soloist Eve Gigiliotti will perform the world premiere.

The new work will be "embraced" by two sets of ancient choral music: O Jerusalem by Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) performed by ModernMedieval Trio of Voices, and Eastern Orthodox chants in multiple languages performed by the Axion Estin Foundation’s psaltes (cantors) —hymns and psalms include Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:5-11).

A METLIVEARTS Production.

Contributing Artists

Featured
Mohammed Fairouz / Composer
Mohammed Fairouz / Composer

Mohammed Fairouz, born in 1985, is one of the most frequently performed, commissioned, and recorded composers of his generation. As an artist involved with major social issues… READ MORE

Andrew Cyr / Conductor
Andrew Cyr / Conductor

Grammy-nominated conductor Andrew Cyr is a leader in the rapidly growing contemporary music scene. His passion for creating new platforms for outstanding emerging composers... READ MORE

Eve Gigliotti / Mezzo-soprano
Eve Gigliotti / Mezzo-soprano

Eve Gigliotti’s 2016-2017 season includes a debut with Hawaii Opera as Giulietta in Les contes d’Hoffman, the world premiere of composer... READ MORE

Martha Cluver / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices
Martha Cluver / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices

Martha Cluver is a founding member of the Grammy award winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth. She also performs regularly with the Church of Trinity Wall Street Choir…. READ MORE

Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices
Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices

Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek is a former member of the acclaimed vocal quartet Anonymous 4 and is currently Artistic Director of… READ MORE

Eliza Bagg / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices
Eliza Bagg / ModernMedieval Trio of Voices

Dedicated to performing both new and early music, soprano Eliza Bagg has worked closely with a number of prominent composers... READ MORE

Naomi Shihab / Poetry
Naomi Shihab / Poetry

Naomi Shihab Nye was born on March 12, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Palestinian father and an American mother. During her high school years, she lived in Ramallah… READ MORE

Axion Estin Foundation
Axion Estin Foundation

The Axion Estin Foundation (AEF) produces programming, events and publications in a comprehensive effort to broaden understanding and audience for Byzantine music… READ MORE

Ian Rosenbaum / Percussion
Ian Rosenbaum / Percussion

Ian Rosenbaum made his Kennedy Center debut in 2009 and 2012 joined the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s “CMS Two”… READ MORE