Ancient stories, attributed to lesser-known figures, are sometimes strikingly modern. This is the case of St. Marina, known as Marina the Monk, a woman who devoted her life to God despite her life’s tribulations and the prejudice she endured. After her mother’s death, Marina’s father decided to disguise her as a boy and take her to the Qannoubine Monastery in Lebanon, reserved for men. There, she became known as “Brother Marin,” and her sex was only discovered by the community after her death. Her life was deeply marked by a false accusation of rape involving the daughter of an innkeeper.…
Browsing: Contemporary
Winners of two OPUS awards at their 2024 gala, the Stick&Bow duo will open Le Vivier’s new season on Sept. 6, along with All the Madmen. Presented at Montreal’s Sainte-Hilda church, this concert will see the music of Beethoven, David Bowie and Nina Simone mingled with a reflection on the madness sometimes associated with great artists. The evening will conclude with the world première of Roman Candle (2024) by composer Jason Noble. On Sept. 28, the Sanctuaire du Saint-Sacrement will host an immersive concert dedicated to Austrian composer Klaus Lang. Soprano Natacha Demers and organist and composer Olivier St-Pierre will…
In May of this year, I found myself among leading musicologists and composers attending the Ninth International Conference on Music and Minimalism in my hometown of Belgrade, Serbia.
We’re setting our eyes (and ears) on albums and festivals that will blossom this spring.
Opéra de Montréal’s production of La Reine-garçon showed how important a strong cast can be to carry a contemporary opera, especially when its story of female empowerment and self-determination resonates with contemporary subject matter. Story Based on true events, the opera is set in 17th-century Sweden where after years of war, reigning monarch Queen Christine has brought peace and art and philosophy to her land. Now, she is expected to marry and produce an heir, but she deflects a multitude of suitors. Her secret is that she is in love with Countess Ebba Sparre, her lady-in-waiting. The story is about…
Off the back of numerous music industry layoffs in 2023, Universal Music Group and Atlantic Music Group have announced their own rounds of job cutting.