Concerted Curiosities

The Astra Choir and instrumental ensemble are heard in an assemblage of CONCERTED CURIOSITIES – expressions and actions spanning from the early Baroque of the Abbess Margarita Cozzolani and the choral theatre of G.F. Handel to late-20th century DADA in Jean-Charles François and the 21st-century experimental art of Laurence Crane. 

CONCERTED CURIOSITIES PROGRAM

Chiara Margarita Cozzolani
Quis audivit? (1642)
voices, cello & organ

Laurence Crane
Come back to the old specimen cabinet, John Vigani (2007)
solo cello & performers

George Frideric Handel
As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams (1713-1738)
choir, ensemble & continuo

Jean-Charles François
The Ill-Chambered Naughtiness (1969)
choir

Allan Walker
Things: Three poèmes of Francis Ponge (2026) 1st performance
voices & instruments

John White
Drinking and Hooting Machine (1967-1972)
performers with bottles

The concert includes the first performance of Allan Walker'sThings: Three poèmes of Francis Ponge, written especially for this occasion and commissioned by Astra with the support of the Joan Pollock Fund.

Lizzy Welsh violin,   Charlotte Ryssenbeek violin,   

Niels Bijl soprano saxophone,

Alister Barker cello,   Tamara Murphy contrabass,   

Joy Lee harpsichord /  organ,

The Astra Choir & Soloists