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Across the Sea

Since the earliest days of civilization, the ocean has captured the imagination. What is on the other side? And how can one possibly get there? Terra australis, a new work by local composer Bronwyn Edwards, recalls those Europeans who first ventured to her native Australia, incorporating didgeridoo into the choir. Her Leonosa recounts an actual shipping vessel that brought lumber from Washington to California in the 1840s. Another local composer, Michael Austin Miller, also rejoices in the ancient explorers.

Of course, not all such exchanges were peaceful. Horizons, by the South African composer Peter Louis Van Dijk, movingly tells of native life slaughtered by European conquerors. Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s Canticum calamitatis maritimae vividly depicts another tragedy: the sinking of the MS Estonia during a storm at sea in 1994. But rest assured that all is not dark. For example, Benjamin Britten extols St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, who emerged from the sea. And with much lighter fare as well—particularly Across the sea from the Wailin’ Jennys—the joys of the ocean are ever near.

  • Benjamin Britten: A Hymn to St Cecilia

  • Bronwyn Edwards: Leonosa

  • Peter Louis Van Dijk: Horizons

  • Michael Austin Miller: We can see the stars

  • Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Canticum calamitatis maritimae

  • Alistair MacGillivray: Away from the roll of the sea

  • Heather Masse: Across the sea

  • Bronwyn Edwards: Terra australis (world premiere performance)

Saturday, Apr. 1

    7:30 p.m.

Live Stream

Sunday, Apr. 2

    3:00 p.m.

Live Stream

Eastside Bahá'í Center

16007 NE 8th St

Bellevue, Washington

Church of the Holy Cross

11526 162nd Ave NE 

Redmond, Washington

Note: In alignment with many local arts and culture organizations, we request that audience members wear masks and practice social distancing throughout the concert. In addition, audience members are expected to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

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