VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Rothko Chapel is delighted to bring a distinguished roster of outstanding intellectuals, poets, musicians, and journalists to speak and perform during its 2009-2010 season of public programs. All programs are free and open to the public. The Rothko Chapel presents Song Salon: Fragments from Augustine the Saint, A Chamber Opera.  Thursday and Friday, May 20 and 21, 7 p.m.  Presented by Divas World Productions.

Featuring: 
Kenneth Gayle, (pictured) Tenor
Lauren Anderson, Dancer
William B. Parsons, Professor, Rice University Religious Studies Department

The chamber opera, Fragments from Augustine the Saint, depicts St. Augustine’s philosophical and spiritual musings – his “dark night of the soul” and inner transformation. This mystical journey in song and movement draws its texts from nine of Augustine’s major writings. Saint Augustine of Hippo lived during a time of tremendous political, social, and religious upheaval much like our own. Ambition, hypocrisy, and spiritual longing competed for attention in his world, where East and West collided, offering a distinct parallel to events of today. This work examines Augustine’s subconscious and, by extension, that of the collective Western religious psyche.

Dr. Beverly Grigsby, a pioneer in the fields of electronic music and music technology, won a National Endowment for the Arts Award for this composition in 1973. Houston tenor Kenneth Gayle will be joined by Houston Ballet’s star Lauren Anderson and guest artists. This production, conceived especially for the Rothko Chapel, is unique in that it adds the element of dance to represent Augustine’s subconscious mind and the feminine face of the Divine.