2019 Resonant Bodies Festival Earns Wall-to-Wall Coverage
“Explorations shared in a spirit of generosity and intimacy.” From The New York Times and The New Yorker to Gothamist and Man Repeller, New York’s Resonant Bodies Festival was on everyone’s radar.
September 5, 2019
““The Resonant Bodies Festival empowers singers to flex their creativity with experimental vocal-music programs of their own design. It’s a testament to the attractiveness of that invitation that this year’s edition has drawn big names from the mainstream classical and contemporary scenes who want in on the artistic liberation.””
Described by The New York Times as the festival that “brings the musical world back to school,” the 2019 Resonant Bodies Festival earned widespread coverage in mainstream and classical music media.
Photo by Gretchen Robinette
From features and interviews in The New York Times, NewMusicBox, and Brooklyn Paper, and previews in Brooklyn Based, Gothamist, Log Journal, Man Repeller, and The New Yorker, to shout-outs in The New York Times and Playbill, and reviews in The New York Times, Seen and Heard International, and San Francisco Classical Voice, ResBods was everywhere people were reading about new music or can’t-miss Brooklyn events.
Lucy Dhegrae is NewMusicBox’s September Conversation
“I would never dream of telling a singer, ‘Hey, you should do this specific piece. I want to hear you do that piece.’ Because you’re only going to get the second-best thing from a singer that way, I think. But if you ask a singer, ‘What do you love to sing? What lights you up? Right now?’ Then things feel urgent. I want to hear your urgent music.'” The founder of the Resonant Bodies Festival discusses the art and science behind the voice.
September 3, 2019
““The beautiful thing about a singer is that you contain this history of where you came from and the current moment, and you become this embodiment of colliding worlds. So that’s what I want to see. Then I want to put all of those people together and let them hear each other’s music, and be inspired.””
Resonant Bodies founder Lucy Dhegrae sat down with NewMusicBox to talk about the 2019 festival, the physicality of singing, and her journey to becoming the fierce advocate and curator she is today. The result is “The Art and Science behind The Voice,” a fascinating video and digital feature.
Noted as “equal measures intelligent, playful, ambitious and moving” by The New York Times, Resonant Bodies is a festival of contemporary vocal music that presents "today's most talented singers" (Feast of Music) performing repertoire of their own choosing. This year's festival features performers ranging from Metropolitan Opera star Stephanie Blythe to composer-performer Erin Gee.
COT Music Director Pens Series on Responsibilities of Artistic Leaders in the 21st Century
“Those who embark on this path can foster creativity and collaboration, open doors that may otherwise remain closed, increase the number of voices represented, and ultimately move classical music toward a more viable future.” Lidiya Yankovskaya has penned a wide-ranging series on the evolving responsibilities of musical leaders.
August 28, 2019
““As mobilizers and catalysts for change, conductors from diverse backgrounds—spanning cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender boundaries—can have an opportunity to make an impact on our field, even when initially halted by gate-keeping institutions. Those who embark on this path can foster creativity and collaboration, open doors that may otherwise remain closed, increase the number of voices represented, and ultimately move classical music toward a more viable future.””
Lidiya Yankovskaya, Music Director of Chicago Opera Theater, shared her thought leadership in an articulate four-part series for NewMusicBox. Speaking from her diverse experiences as a conductor, activist, and ensemble-leader, Yankovskaya covers everything from the roles of artists as activists, expanding the American canon, and working to create a plurality of voices in classical music.
Photo by Kathy Wittman