Ensemble Irini

The Book of Women is an ambitious speculative, musical and historical project, combining medieval music for seven women's voices with a new work for four amplified singing bodies, chamber ensemble and electronic sounds, inspired by the Mahabharata - a commission for Riccardo Nova.

The premiere will take place in August 2025 at the Ma Early Music Festival in Bruges (Brussels).

Cast

Lila Hajosi, conductor
Varijashree Venugopal, voice
Irini Ensemble: six-voice vocal ensemble
Ictus Ensemble: string trio (baroque violin, viola d'amore, viola da gamba), microtonal synthesiser and percussion

Program

PÉROTIN, Beata Viscera (ca 1200)

Pieces from the Cantigas de Santa María (ca 1220-1280)
Pieces from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (ca 1399)
Pieces from the Cyprus Manuscript (ca 1420), for seven women's voices

Riccardo NOVA, The book of women / StrI parvam (2025)
for four women's voices (a singer from the Indian Carnatic tradition and three Irini voices) and chamber ensemble, world premiere

Production: Ictus
Co-production: Ma Festival