ECHO
Memories of the World
EMBARK ON A GLOBAL JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY WITH THE GRYPHONTRIO, MEZZO-SOPRANO MARION NEWMAN NEGE’GA, AND NARRATOR ČAČUMḤI AARON WELLS
Embark on a global journey of discovery with the GryphonTrio, mezzo-soprano Marion Newman Nege’ga, and narrator čačumḥi Aaron Wells in “Echo: Memories of the World.”
Artists serve as custodians and storytellers of our shared heritage, their creative expressions transcending time and space to connect us across generations. Yet, throughout history and even today, certain memories and voices have been marginalized, silenced and stolen.
Embarking on a remarkable global journey, the Gryphon Trio together with mezzo-soprano Marion Newman Nege’ga, and narrator čačumḥi Aaron Wells take listeners through a mesmerizing multimedia concert that transcends time and space.
Uniting a diverse ensemble of Indigenous and non-indigenous composers, Echo weaves a tapestry of music by visionaries like Andrew Balfour, Eliot Britton, Ian Cusson, Ry Moran, Kelly-Marie Murphy, Marion Newman, Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and contemporary Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov.
Recounting experiences and stories from the lands now known as Canada, Norway, and Ukraine. “Echo” is not just a performance; it is a love letter to the richness of diverse cultural expressions, an emotionally charged exploration of history’s erasures, and a celebration of artists and knowledge keepers who defy suppression to breathe life into enduring works of profound significance. And more than music, Echo is a celebration of the courageous work of knowledge keepers, cultural heritage workers and artists who safeguard and transmit knowledge to future generations. It is an offering to inspire collective commitment to preserving our shared history.
As we navigate a world where beauty and horror coexist, “Echo” urgently calls for reparation and reconciliation. By honoring the richness and complexity of our diverse human family, this concert offers a powerful tribute to the spirit of healing and unity through diversity.
“All peoples contribute to the diversity and richness of civilizations and cultures, which constitute the common heritage of humankind.”
-United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples constitutes the framework for reconciliation across all levels and all sectors of society.
-Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Principles of Reconciliation
When cultural heritage comes under attack, so too do the peoples to whom that heritage belongs. This constitutes a violation of their fundamental human rights.
PERSONNEL
Performers
Marion Newman, mezzo-soprano
Aaron Wells, narrator
Gryphon Trio, piano trio
Music
Andrew Balfour, Eliot Britton, Ry Moran, Marion Newman, Ole Bull, Valentin Silvestrov, J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Dmitri Shostakovich.
Words on stage and on film
Sami poet/playwright Rawdna Carita Eira; Ry Moran; Katie Patterson, creator of Norway’s Future Library project; Valentin Silvestrov, internationally renowned composer from Ukraine
Film
Liam Romalis and Jason Charters, Riddle Films
Striving for a collective working model informed by Indigenous values, the members of the Echo creative team are:
Reneltta Arluk – Director, concept and content creator, former Director Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Alison Mackay – concept and content creator, former principal bass in the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and designer of transdisciplinary projects
Ry Moran – concept and content creator, composer, Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation, University of Victoria; Founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba
Eliot Britton – composer, concept and content creator, Assistant Professor of Composition and Music Technology & Digital Media at the University of Toronto
Marion Newman – mezzo soprano, concept and content creator
Roman Borys – cellist, concept and content creator Gryphon Trio
Caroline Hollway – project manager
Hugh Conacher – lighting design
Anthony Crea – sound
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
November 30, 2023
ArtSpring, Salt Spring Island, final rehearsal residency and performance
December 3, 2023
Baumann Centre, co-presented by the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria and sponsored by the University of Victoria
December 7, 2023
Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
December 12, 2023
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Queens University, Kingston
Marion Newman, Gryphon Trio – Echo phase one development workshop performance, Isabel Bader Centre For the Performing Arts, Queen’s University, Kingston, October 2021