Award-winning choir Tenebrae presents this dramatic programme with a crucial message at its heart. One glance at the state of global geopolitics and it becomes clear than man fails to learn the lesson that history so easily teaches us: that little is ever gained from war but there is much to be lost. The message in this programme is one of peace – the longing for it, and the beauty, innocence and simplicity which can accompany it.
Rudolf Mauersberger composed his dedications in memory of the choir boys he lost in the bombing of Dresden, and Philip Moore sets texts written by the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer while he was held in a Nazi prison camp. The programme also features two works commissioned by and written for Tenebrae: Roderick Williams’ peaceful prayer Lucis Creator optime, and Josephine Stephenson’s astonishing Into the Wreck, which features acclaimed actor Juliet Stevenson in the spoken role. The programme culminates with Poulenc’s response to the occupation of his beloved Paris in the Second World War – the stunningly virtuosic choral cantata, Figure Humaine.
The Tenebrae Choir was conducted by James Sherlock.
St John the Evangelist, Oxford, 06 July 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Maya Youssef is hailed as ‘queen of the qanun,’ the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Her intense and thoughtful music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and flamenco styles. Images of Youssef and audience during her set in the festival marquee on Saturday 25 June 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Shakespeare’s Globe bring their startlingly relevant new production of the epic tragedy ‘Julius Caesar’ to Oxford this summer in the grounds of Magdalen College School, 19-24 July 2022.
Conspiracy to kill, public broadcast of cunning rhetoric, a divisive fight for greatness: Ancient Rome never felt closer. When Cassius and Brutus decide that Rome’s leader Julius Caesar poses a political threat to their beloved country, there’s only one solution …
Shakespeare’s Globe and award-winning Director Diane Page bring this brutal tale of ambition, incursion and revolution to vivid, topical life.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: the Oxford Botanic Garden celebrates its 400th anniversary with a concert in the magnificent setting of Oxford Town Hall given by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment led by Matthew Truscott playing Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’ and ‘The Enchanted Forest’ by Francesco Geminiani. Both are performed on period instruments for an unmatched tone. The Town Hall is also where the orchestra played their very first concert in 1986. Oxford, 25 July 2022.The Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Gaia, by UK artist Luke Jerram.
Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions. The installation (which was present at COP26) creates a sense of the Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment. The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society, providing the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet: a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another.
A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. In Greek Mythology, Gaia is the personification of the Earth.
Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. With supporting partners Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.
Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Jerram has a set of different narratives that make up his practice which are developing in parallel with one another. He is known worldwide for his large scale public artworks.
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin provides a magnificent setting. Oxford, 23 June 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Sirocco: Abel Selaocoe with Chesaba and Manchester Collective.
Sirocco is pure joy and energy – a great storm of music that celebrates the warmth and diversity of cultural traditions from across the globe. Guest directed and narrated by South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, this is music for the people, by the people. This “once in a lifetime experience” covers everything from outrageous arrangements for solo cello to beloved classics by Stravinsky and Haydn; and from a set of original African music to a collection of gorgeous Danish folk songs. Described as the performer who can “draw the audience into the palm of his hand” (The Arts Desk, 2022), Abel is redefining the parameters of the cello, moving seamlessly across a plethora of genres and styles, from collaborations with world musicians and beatboxers, to concerto performances and solo classical recitals. Abel is joined by Sidiki Dembele and Alan Keary from Chesaba – a trio specialising in the performance of music from the African continent – and the string quartet of Manchester Collective. Known for their experimental programming and daring collaborations, Manchester Collective is a new kind of arts organisation, built for a fresh and diverse musical world, performing a combination of cutting-edge contemporary music, classical masterpieces and staged work in venues ranging from concert halls to warehouses, and nightclubs to festivals.
St John the Evangelist, Oxford, 04 July 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Harry the Piano in the festival marquee giving the audience a wonderful and very entertaining musical tour of the globe. A virtuoso evening! Oxford, 03 July 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: Maya Youssef is hailed as ‘queen of the qanun,’ the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Her intense and thoughtful music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and flamenco styles. Images of Youssef and audience during her set in the festival marquee on Saturday 25 June 2022.Oxford Festival of the Arts 2022: the Julian Joseph Trio get OFA 2022 off with a jazzy bang at 7.30 pm in the festival marquee on Friday 23 June.
