The Dead Sea Scrolls inspire Tafelmusik

Song of Songs: Music from Three Ancient Traditions is performed at the ROM on October 8

In conjunction with the Royal Ontario Museum’s Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World, the internationally renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir have collaborated with Juno Award-winning, Toronto-based composer Christos Hatzis to present a concert inspired by the Song of Songs, a book of the Hebrew Bible. This special event takes place on Thursday, October 8 at 7pm in the ROM’s stunning new event space, the Peter F. Bronfman Hall.

In March 2008, Tafelmusik’s Alison Mackay created a program called In the Garden of Delights, with settings of the Song of Songs from various musical traditions. The guest soloists from that concert -vocalists Rufus Müller (tenor) and Maryem Tollar (alto), oud player Bassam Bishara, and cantor Gershon Silins – come together once again to perform excerpts from the original program, including Hebrew chant, Arabic muwashah, works by Purcell and Healey Willan, and Hatzis' composition From the Song of Songs. Hatzis' Psalm 91 for choir and harp, with harpist Erica Goodman, is also included in the program. Tafelmusik performs under the direction of Jeanne Lamon and Ivars Taurins.

The Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century - the earliest record of biblical patriarchs and prophets known to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. From June 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010, 16 authentic Dead Sea Scrolls are featured over two three-month rotations. On display in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall on Level B2 in the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, this exhibition is one of the most significant in the ROM’s history.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, October 8, 7pm - 8:30 pm

Peter F. Bronfman Hall

Tickets are now available: $29 (online $27); $25 ROM members (online $23)

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.rom.on.ca, click What's On Calendar or call 416.586.5797