Summer News from Del Sol

Newsletter Contents:
1. Del Sol performs Ghost Opera in Santa Fe!
2. A look back at our successful spring home concert series
3. Del Sol connects with kids in the schools

1. The Santa Fe Opera presents Ghost Opera, featuring Del Sol and Pipa!

Del Sol travels to Santa Fe in July for a unique performance of Tan Dun’s Ghost Opera for string quartet with pipa, water, stones, paper, and metal. Pipa player Wu Man and director Acushla Bastible join Del Sol for this five-movement work of mourning and hope. Dun (b. 1957, China) calls his work “a dialogue between past and future, spirit and nature,” based on the shamanistic customs of Chinese peasant culture. In addition to playing on their usual instruments everything from Chinese folk music to fragments of Bach’s “Well-Tempered Clavier” to rowdy hoedowns, the musicians will also be required to artfully splash water, skillfully smack stones together, utter chants and exultations, and play as ghostly shadows from behind a white sash. A reflection on human spirituality, Dun’s work is a cross-temporal, cross-cultural and cross-media dialogue which touches on the past, present, future and the eternal, employing elements from Chinese, Tibetan, English and American cultures.

Ghost Opera
Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 7:00pm
The Lensic, Santa Fe’s Performing Arts Center
211 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM
Tickets: $10-$30
http://delsolquartet.com/concert.html


2. Del Sol’s Home Concert Series completes a great 2006-2007 season!

Our spring concert series, “Umbilical Chords - Women Composers and the Creative Process,” marked the end of a very busy and successful season for Del Sol. In four energetic performances, three of which were recorded, Del Sol explored the influence of motherhood and its effect on the careers and compositions of women composers, featuring works by Kui Dong, Linda Catlin Smith, Teresa Carreno, Sally Beamish, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Mark Fish. The following comments are from audience members about their recent positive Del Sol concert experience at these performances:

***”The choice of music was wonderful! I was transported. THANK YOU!”

***”Terrific repertoire expertly played. Accessible with commentary, intimate setting. I always enjoy seeing a quartet stand!”

***”As always: energy, invention, technical precision, imaginative and
coherent programming.”

Thanks to all who attended - we’re looking forward to seeing you again in the fall!


3. Del Sol teaches conflict resolution to elementary students

Elementary students in the Burlingame and Millbrae school districts enjoyed a taste of string quartet music as well as a lesson about peacefully resolving conflict this April as Del Sol performed their way through many schools. These assemblies were part of the Music at Kohl Mansion program, which offers shows annually to schools in Millbrae and Burlingame. The quartet taught conflict resolution and peace through music, demonstrating how to listen effectively and new ways of compromising with peers. The students were also offered several examples of composers who successfully blend the music of different cultures. One teacher from Spring Valley Elementary School commented, “Please come back! You are truly our premier assembly each year and the children love you!” Not to worry - Del Sol loves their involvement in the schools as much as the kids do, and they look forward to many more educational activities in the future!