For Immediate Release: April 30, 2008
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ÆDONIS performs works of gay composers, including several favorite works and two world premieres With EXPECTO, the all-male ensemble debuts as a formally recognized counterpart to The Esoterics EXPECTO ~ May 10 - 11 and 17 – 18 |
In 2004, Eric Banks formed a small ensemble of singers from the Seattle Men's Chorus with the express purpose of singing a cappella choral works written by gay and lesbian composers throughout history. Originally, ÆDONIS was a joint venture between the SMC and The Esoterics, the ensemble Banks founded in 1993. In 2008, The Esoterics became ÆDONIS' official home and the two ensembles have begun an auspicious relationship.
"I think the partnership between The Esoterics and ÆDONIS makes sense in a lot of ways," says Banks. "Both ensembles continually forge new territory in a cappella choral culture, with The Esoterics focusing on the most contemporary of choral works, and ÆDONIS recognizing the role of the gay community in the choral world."
All of the sixteen men in ÆDONIS have sung at least one project with The Esoterics, eight hold "dual membership" in both ensembles, and five members of ÆDONIS serve on The Esoterics' Board of Directors. One such singer, Rick Sipe, suggests that ÆDONIS' move to The Esoterics is an important moment for both ensembles.
"I think ÆDONIS has found new strength and independence by becoming part of The Esoterics," says Sipe, "This change also shows that The Esoterics is growing as an organization that is capable of housing and supporting multiple ensembles."
To celebrate its new status, ÆDONIS will perform EXPECTO, its first concert series as part of The Esoterics' 2008 season. The sixteen singers will offer a program of choral music by gay composers, one that revolves around the theme of expectation: anticipation of news from afar, optimism of a reunion between loved ones, and the hope for justice, solace, or healing at day's end.
ÆDONIS will perform several of its favorite works from past seasons, including Pyotr Tchaikovsky's ethereal Solovushko, Franz Schubert's dreamlike Mondenschein, Camille Saint-Saëns' ecstatic Calme des nuits, Benjamin Britten's stately Concord, Bern Herbolsheimer's captivating Love letters, and Donald Skirvin's shimmering cycle of poems by Hart Crane: Yet, love endures. In addition to these works, ÆDONIS will perform David Conte's setting of the enchanting Robert Herrick poem Charm me asleep, as well as the world premiere of a new work by director Eric Banks, a setting of Sanskrit verses in a choral homage to the Hindu goddess of music, learning, and culture: Sarasvati.
ÆDONIS is also proud to present a world premiere piece by Scott Perkins, one of this year's winners of POLYPHONOS, The Esoterics' annual composition competition. The Esoterics recently premiered his commissioned POLYPHONOS piece during its 15th Annversary concert series, QUINDECIMA. In EXPECTO, ÆDONIS will premiere Perkins' A word out of the sea, a setting of verses from Walt Whitman's Leaves of grass. Perkins won the the BMI Student Composer Award for the piece in 2004, but the work was never performed:
"I never expected to hear A word out of the sea, which I wrote in 2003, performed," says the composer. ". . . it takes an extraordinarily talented and dedicated choir to bring it to life. I just had the opportunity to hear Ædonis in concert for the first time, and it was immediately clear to me that it was exactly the group I was looking for. I am truly thrilled and honored that Ædonis is taking on the project, and it will be like a dream to go back to Seattle this May to hear them again!"
EXPECTO is also a special performance for ÆDONIS because they will reprise much of the program for the National Festival of the Gay & Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) this July.
"GALA will be an important debut for us," says Banks. "It's the perfect venue; the mission of ÆDONIS fits perfectly with the organization and I think our program will be a strong contribution to the event."
Don't miss this uplifting program of men's a cappella singing at its finest!
The dates and venues for EXPECTO are:
Saturday, 10 May • 7:00pm • Lynnwood
Trinity Lutheran Church • 6215 196th St. SW
Sunday, 11 May • 3:00pm • Tacoma
Trinity Lutheran Church • 12115 Park Ave S
Saturday, 17 May • 8:00pm • West Seattle
Holy Rosary Catholic Church • 4139 42nd Ave SW
Sunday, 18 May • 3:00pm • Seattle
Queen Anne Christian Church • 1316 3rd Ave W
Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 in advance, $15 for students,
seniors, the un(der)employed, and the differently-abled. Discounts are available
for groups of five or more at $12 per person. Active singers of any choral group
may attend for only $10. Advance tickets are available online at
Ædonis is a men's ensemble under the ægis of The Esoterics that is dedicated to creating and presenting contemporary a cappella choral music by gay and lesbian composers, in addition to revisiting and promoting the music and poetry of pre-gay and pre-lesbian artists throughout history in a positive and affirming way. The name of the group comes from a form of the ancient Greek word for 'nightingale.' Although the female bird is known in poetry and literature for her legendary song, it is actually only the male bird that sings. This phenomenon is evinced in the voices of Ædonis, where the vocal range that is normally sung by women is performed by countertenors and sopranists. Ædonis has released one CD recording to date -- AMORE: Songs of love -- in 2006.
The Esoterics has presented dozens of local and international premieres, and has tackled the most challenging works of 20th and 21st century choral repertoire. Now celebrating its fifteenth anniversary season with founding director Eric Banks, the ensemble has drawn national and international praise for presenting the many styles that comprise contemporary choral music. In 2001, 2003, and 2006, The Esoterics' commitment to innovative concert repertoire was nationally recognized when ASCAP and Chorus America granted the ensemble its coveted Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. The ensemble was also honored to be selected as the only North American chorus to compete at the 2000 International Choral Festival in Cork, Ireland, the 2001 International Choral Festival in Tolosa, Spain, and the 2006 Harald Andersén International Choir Competition in Helsinki, Finland.
If you have additional questions about Expecto or The Esoterics (media contact only), please contact Bayta Maring ().