WHO: Calling local musicians, singers and actors of all abilities! Individuals and groups of all sizes!
WHAT: SIRENSCIRCUS is a rendition of John Cage’s MUSICIRCUS, with participants bringing together all the music, sounds and instruments mentioned in Ulysses Episode XI, Sirens – a sonic wash and soundscape! Taking place in Ebrington Square, Derry~Londonderry, on Sunday 16th June from 4pm – 6pm, SIRENSCIRCUS is a FREE and open 2 hour event that will involve local creatives in a special one-off world premiere. The audience will promenade through Ebrington Square enjoying the performance and gradually making sense of a spectacular range of sounds. This episode was the closest James Joyce ever came to writing a piece of symphonic music, he commented the episode was composed as an 8-piece fugue.
Particular instruments we would love to have in our performance include – but are not restricted to – harp, horn, tympani, pipe, husky fifes, tympanum (war drums style), seahorns, cellos, double bass, trombone, dulcimer, pianos, lambeg drum, flute, Uillean pipes, Scottish pipe, tenor and snare drums, outdoor organ, hurdy-gurdy, woodwinds
Singers to perform Irish ballad songs, European opera, light opera and/or the blues (anything that pre-dates 1922)
Actors dressed in Ulysses character costumes are encouraged to come and attend.
WHAT NEXT: Anyone who is interested in signing up can contact Margaret Kelly at mcphillips.margaret@gmail.com
Each musician/group will suggest 8 songs in keeping with the theme of ballads, opera and blues. Actors will be given readings from the Sirens Episode XI of Ulysses and we will ask singers/musicians/actors to include some of the sounds that are found in the episode. This information will then be sent to the John Cage Trust who will “script” the performance with timings for all artists of when they should speak/sing/play and when to remain silent.
ON THE DAY: The timings/script as well as the specific location in Ebrington Square will be sent to performers in advance. Artists will turn up and be ready to perform from 4pm – 6pm on Sunday 16th June. No rehearsal is required.
If you would like to join us for SIRENSCIRUS, please register your interest now!
Register your interest here
