Beyond the Notes: ENAensemble Presents the Celestial

A Serial Opera Project:

Join us for the first event in our Beyond the Notes noontime concert series this spring, where Philadelphia-based ENAensemble will present operatic works based on the theme of the celestial. This program will feature: 

• “Touching the Sun,” a new song for voice and cello, music by Rose Hall, libretto by Cecil Castellucci  

• Wailing at the Moon, a new chamber opera for two sopranos and chamber ensemble by Traci Williams and Sepehr Pirasteh, with voices Megnot Toggia and Carleen Baron

• Neither Created Nor Destroyed by Jessica Rudman and Kendra Preston Leonard, with voices Ayanna Freelon and Marcelle McGurik 

• "Behind the Counter," a new song series, music by Jamey Guzman, libretto by Mel Abrams

After each work, a talkback will be held to explore the thematic material and the audiences' response to the pieces, and to add context from the performers and creators on how putting this kind of new music together works. We are very excited that so many of the participants are current or former Temple students, showcasing the many different ways one can make a career of creative and collaborative music and art in our world. 

Performers: 

Voices: Megnot Toggia, Carleen Baron, Ayanna Freelon, and Marcelle McGurik 

Flute: Chelsey Meynig 

Guitar: Thomas Schuttenhelm 

Cello: Leigh Brown 

Conductor: Evan Kassof 

Light refreshments served. Boyer recital credit given. 

This performance is part of ENAensemble’s Serial Opera Project, a multi-month performance of a new chamber opera in three parts, written by three different composer-librettist teams and centered around the loose theme of “the celestial.” Each performance in the series will feature a premiere of the next part of the opera, as well as selected chamber works and a song for voice and one instrument as part of ENAensemble’s New Song Series.  

The event will also be live streamed via Zoom Webinar, for those who are unable to attend or prefer a virtual format. Access the live stream here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/96470094800

Note: The performance and talkback will last longer than our traditional Beyond the Notes performances. Please come and go as works with your schedule. 

Our programs are geared toward a general audience and are open to all, including Temple students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, and friends. Registration is encouraged.