Celebrating the art of Mark Rothko in a unique concert experience
For three performances only, from Friday, November 10 to Saturday, November 11, 2023, Soundstreams, in partnership with Pinkhouse Productions, presents The Bright Divide, a riveting new concert experience including projections, at the TD Music Hall. The program features Rothko Chapel by American composer Morton Feldman; and the world premiere of mark by Canadian composer Cecilia Livingston, with original text by Duncan McFarlane.
The Bright Divide is inspired by the work of two artistic masters: Mark Rothko, one of the most important painters of the 20th century and one of the finest artists of all time, whose richly colourful works continue to captivate viewers; and Feldman, a contemporary of Rothko, and a major figure in 20th-century classical music. Bringing the vision to life will be internationally celebrated stage director Tim Albery, with David Fallis as conductor and music director.
Featured musicians & creative team
Steven Dann is the featured soloist in both works. As principal viola of some of the world’s leading orchestras, and a veteran of the string quartet and chamber music world as soloist and recitalist, Dann is a critically acclaimed and internationally recognized virtuoso.
The program also features Soundstreams Choir 21, Ryan Scott on percussion and Gregory Oh on celesta, with lighting design by Siobhán Sleath and projections by Cameron Davis.
About the music
Rothko Chapel (1971) by American composer Morton Feldman was written as a tribute piece for Mark Rothko and premiered in 1972 at the famed Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, a non-denominational spiritual space containing 14 paintings by the iconic American painter. Feldman’s evocative score features a solo viola, to be performed in The Bright Divide by Steven Dann. The piece is also an homage to the Chapel itself, created “to illuminate our shared humanity, inspiring actions towards treating all with dignity and respect.”
mark will be a world premiere by Canadian composer Cecilia Livingston, with original text by Canadian author and librettist Duncan McFarlane, responding both to Feldman’s piece and to Rothko’s art itself.
About Soundstreams
Founded in 1982, Soundstreams is a global leader in the presentation of innovative, carefully curated and immersive musical experiences. It is committed to showcasing the work of living Canadian and global composers/musicians, bringing to focus contemporary conversations to its communities. Since its inception, it’s introduced audiences to works from some of the finest and most groundbreaking composers of our age, from R. Murray Schafer to Nicole Lizée.
About Pinkhouse Productions
Led by an all-female team – and driven by producer, actress, executive producer, writer and founder Lawryn LaCroix – Pinkhouse Productions is an interdisciplinary production company dedicated to developing original dramatic and multi-media immersive work. They strive to empower, ignite and inspire in the arts – both on stage and on camera.
Related upcoming event
Related to this concert, a new, free, Soundstreams TD Encounters Series event MARK ROTHKO & MUSIC, presented in collaboration with Koffler Arts, will take place on October 30 at 7:30 PM ET at the Holy Blossom Temple (1950 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5P 3K9) in the Mishkan Room. Free registration available here.
(Photo credits, left to right: Steven Dann, Cecilia Livingston & Gregory Oh, photo by Ziyaad Haniff; other images by Soundstreams.)
Event details
Hosted by: Soundstreams, presenting in partnership with Pinkhouse Productions
Type of event: music concert with projections
Featured composers: Morton Feldman (Rothko Chapel) & Cecilia Livingston (mark), with original text by Duncan McFarlane
Stage director: Tim Albery
Conductor/music director: David Fallis
Featured artists: Steven Dann (solo viola), Ryan Scott (percussion), Gregory Oh (celesta) & Soundstreams Choir 21, featuring Alex Samaras (vocal soloist in mark)
Dates & times: Friday, November 10 at 7:30 PM ET; Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 PM ET and 7:30 PM ET
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can: C$25.00 – $75.00 (+ taxes & fees)
Location: TD Music Hall, 178 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T7
Booking link: Book your tickets here
Contact Details: Soundstreams, 20 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1J9, Canada; Box Office: 416-872-4255; contactus@mh-rth.com, soundstreams.ca
Accessibility: TD Music Hall accessibility info here.