Greenwich Music Festival 2010
By gb on Jun 08, 2010 with Comments 0
The Meeting Room
Greenwich Arts Council
299 Greenwich Ave
Tuesday June 8, 2010
8:00PM
Opening Lecture: Robert Ainsley
Picture of Rob AinsleyIn 1968, German composer Hans Werner Henze read Miguel Barnet’s Biography of a Runaway Slave, an historical novel based the life of Esteban Montejo, and was inspired by the book to travel to Cuba, where he encountered a unique hybrid of African and Spanish musical cultures. The 2010 Greenwich Music Festival follows Henze on his musical journey through Cuba, culminating in Henze’s theatrical setting of Montejo’s
story, The Runaway Slave (El Cimarrón). GMF Principal Conductor Robert Ainsley will introduce the season, providing musical and historical context for the style and content that emerged from Henze’s trip.
The Runaway Slave (El Cimarron)
Thursday June 10, Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13 at 8:00PM
The Theater, St. Catherine of Siena, 4 Riverside Ave
A remarkable work of music-theater narrating the true life story of Esteban Montejo, an Afro-Cuban born into slavery on a sugar plantation in 1860, who escaped bondage to live in the jungle, later fought in the battles for independence from the Spanish and, having witnessed one final revolution with Castro’s rise to power, died in 1973 at the age of 113. Employing an ensemble of voice, guitar, flute and percussion, Henze captures Montejo’s astounding life through the sounds of more than a century of Cuban history.
Musica Cubana
Two Free Concerts sponsored by the Greenwich Arts Council
The Meeting Room, Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Ave – Directions
Music Cubana | Wednesday June 9, 8:00PM
Cuban music finds its roots in the danzas of Spain and Africa. Featuring Metropolitan Opera soprano Alyson Cambridge and Greenwich Music Festival’s Robert Ainsley.
New School | Friday June 11, 8:00PM
The sounds and rhythms of contemporary Cuban music. Featuring the acclaimed International Contemporary Ensemble, “one of the most adventurous and accomplished groups in new music.” The New York Times
Seating for both concerts is extremely limited
Admittance will be First-Come, First-Served
(No advance reservations)
For more information visit GreenwichMusicFestival.org
Filed Under: Concerts • Music Festival • Special Events
