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Kassia,
the first female composer of the Occident

To date, the works of Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) have often been considered the oldest known music by a female composer. That was until Michael Popp, connoisseur and well-known performer of mediæval music, came together with an antiquarian who drew his attention to Kassia and put him in touch with Diane Touliatos, an American scholar who has been busy editing Kassia’s works for some years now. Recognising an undiscovered musical treasurein Kassia, Popp formed a top-flight ensemble of renowned singers from the early music scene, and took on the role of musical director for the ensemble – also making use of his expertise in various mediæval instruments to provide occasional instrumental accompaniment.

VocaMe (Germany):
Gerlinde Sämann voice
Sigrid Hausen voice
Petra Noskaiová voice
Sarah M. Newman voice
Michael Popp director & instrumentalist

Concert Details and Ticket Information

			Friday evening, 2 March 2012
			Pre-Concert Introduction at 7:15  |  Concert at 8:00 pm
			Christ Church Cathedral
			690 Burrard at West Georgia, downtown Vancouver  | directions

for information on Ticket Prices and Seating Plans at Christ Church Cathedral.

Tickets for this performance at $35 (students & seniors $3 discount) can be ordered on-line via our secure connection.
These ticket prices include 12% HST.

They can also be ordered by phone (604 732-1610) from the office of Early Music Vancouver. Tickets are also available at Sikora’s Classical Records.

Rush Seats for Students with valid ID on sale for $10, at the door only, from 7:00 pm on the afternoon of the concert.

These concerts are included in our “Bring a Youth for Free” programme.

< click on this logo for Chirst Church Cathedral’s listing of this Early Music Vancouver concert

Programme

Doxazomen sou Christe (We Praise, Oh Christ)

Ek rizis agathis (From a Good Root)

O synapostatis tyrannos (The Apostate Tyrant)

O Phariseos (The Pharisee)

O Vasilevs tis doxis Christos (Christ, the King of Glory)

I Edessa

Tin pentachordon Iyran (The Five-stringed Lute)

Igapisas theophore (O God-bearing Father, You Cherished)

Yper ton Ellinon (Above the Greeks)

I en polles amarties (The Fallen Woman)

Pelagia

Tou stavrou sou i dynamis (The Power of Your Cross)

Olvon lipousa patrikon (Leaving the Wealth of her Family)

Petron ke Pavlon (Peter and Paul)

Isaiou nyn tou prophitou (Now Isaiah the Prophet)

I ton lipsanon sou thiki (The Tomb of your Remains)

Avgoustou monarchisantos (Augustus, the Monarch)

Christina martys (Christina, the Martyr)

– programme subject to changes

Programme Notes

“Women have been the occasion of much evil.”

Thus, in Gibbon’s account, spake Emperor Theophilos, about to hand the beautiful Kassia a golden apple as token of his choice of bride. Kassia replied, without missing a beat: “And surely, Sir, they have likewise been the occasion of much good”, a retort that cost her the crown of Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Emperor bestowed his apple on another young hopeful.

Undefeated, Kassia (born 810, died between 843 and 867) pursued another career, founded a convent and became its abbess. There, she composed hymns as well as liturgical and secular verses. Just under fifty hymns are now attributed to her as well as several troparia. Kassia was a self-assured, highly educated and exceptionally gifted woman at the centre of Byzantine intellectual and artistic life in the metropolis of Constantinople.

The revival of Kassia’s hymns awakens and breathes new life into their lovely and deeply moving melodies. Haunting voices and intuitive arrangements transport listeners to a long-lost age and world, immersing them in a dense, nigh mystic atmosphere. This music, forgotten until today, bears living witness to a vibrant past culture. Kassia’s hymns and their inspired interpretation are a true revelation.

The Artists

VocaMe

Michael Popp, connoisseur and well-known performer of mediæval music, met with an antiquarian who drew his attention to Kassia and put him in touch with Diane Touliatos, an American scholar who has been busy editing Kassia’s works for some years now.

Recognising an undiscovered musical treasure in Kassia, Popp formed VocaMe, a top-flight ensemble of renowned singers from the Early Music scene. Popp took on the role of musical director for the ensemble and also made use of his expertise in various mediæval instruments, providing occasional instrumental accompaniment