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August 28, 2022

Songs in Time of War

PhoeNX Ensemble Ft. Lawrence Wiliford

Ontario

Phoenx ensemble

Sanya Eng, Photo by Dahlia Katz

Overview

PhoeNX Ensemble and soloist Lawrence Wiliford join to bring a new cross-cultural offering of Alec Roth’s deeply moving Songs in Time of War, breathing new life into the poetry of Du Fu (ca. 750 CE) as set by Vikram Seth. 

Through music and song, we are exposed to a world in which conflict, turmoil and war were experienced by Du Fu. Stories of family, friends, neighbours, strangers, seasons, skies and stars are delivered with deep honesty, compassion, love and beauty. 

A. Roth, Songs in Time of War, words by Vikram Seth after Du Fu

About PhoeNX Ensemble

PhoeNX Ensemble is a cross-cultural mixed chamber ensemble that blends traditional East Asian and Western instruments. Our vision is to explore, promote and expand the East/West mixed-musical medium through performances, educational workshops, commissioning and cross-disciplinary collaborations. This multi-layered instrumental palette merges the East and West’s rich musical histories and influences, giving rise to an altogether new canvas of limitless sound potential and lyrical storytelling.

About Lawrence Wiliford

Lauded for his luminous projection, lyrical sensitivity and brilliant coloratura, American-Canadian tenor Lawrence Wiliford is in high demand in concert, opera and recital repertoire. 2019–2020 season highlights include a performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the Eugene Symphony, Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Back Bay Chorale, Bach’s St. John Passion with the Florida Orchestra, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Beethoven’s Mass in C Major with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the Rochester Philharmonic, Mozart’s Requiem with the Seattle Symphony and a performance of Considering Matthew Shephard with Pax Christi Chorale. 

In recent seasons, Wiliford performed Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op.31, Handel’s Ode for Cecilia’s Day and Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Back Bay Chorale, Mozart’s Requiem with the Eugene Symphony, Bach’s Passion According to St. John, BWV 245 with the Florida Orchestra and Handel’s Messiah with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dates & Times

August 28
4pm
60 mins

More Info

Lawrence Wiliford – Tenor 

Patty Chan – Erhu 

Sanya Eng – Harp 

Michael Savona – Guitar 

Venue

Toronto Music Garden

479 Queens Quay West,
Toronto, ON

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Keywords MusicPerformance