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Amy Beth Kirsten

"...one of America's most innovative and visionary composers." BBC Music Magazine March 2019

  • staged works
  • concert music
  • multi-media
  • singer-songwriter
  • texts
  • visual art
  • events
  • discography
  • catalogue
  • about
  • teaching
  • contact
  • shop

ARABY

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This world premiere production continues Amy's interest in exploring the connection between music, language, and theatre. This time James Joyce's short story "Araby" is front and center - a compelling and universal tale about first love and the loss of innocence.  Co-direction by Amy Beth Kirsten and Mary Ellen Stebbins. Lighting design by Mary Ellen Stebbins. 

This performance features Hai-Ting Chinn, mezzo-soprano and Hannah Collins, cello.

NYC premiere: Feb 24, 2016 at National Sawdust in Williamsburg.

This production oscillates between music written by Amy Beth Kirsten, Kaija Saariaho, Tonia Ko, and Matthew Schickele. 

ARABY - program

 Sept Papillons #2 (Saariaho)

our house (Kirsten)

Sept Papillons #1 (Saariaho)

the space of the sky above us... (Kirsten)

Sept Papillon #3 overlaid with spoken text (Saariaho / Kirsten)

Sept Papillons #4 (Saariaho)

o love! (Kirsten)

Lamplight (Schickele)

are you going to Araby? (Kirsten)

Sept Papillons #5 (Saariaho)

waiting (Kirsten)

between us (Ko)

through the silence (Kirsten)

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