WSU choirs present 'The Armed Man,' unforgettable multimedia event
The Concert Chorale, A Cappella Choir and Symphony Orchestra will join together to present the powerful concert by Karl Jenkins. The concert takes the form of a twenty-first century mass setting in the spirit of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem," incorporating texts from the Roman Catholic mass, the Muslim call to prayer, the Bible and the Mahabharata, along with poetry from Rudyard Kipling, Alfred Lord Tennyson and others.
The music is striking in its variety, including the fifteenth-century tune "L'homme arme" (The Armed Man), African-style drumming, Renaissance polyphony and movements that sound like modern cinematic composition.
"Last summer as I was searching for music for this performance, there had been a series of 'lone wolf' terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, and I came across "The Armed Man," which included text and music from Christian, Muslim and secular traditions," said Michael Hanawalt, director of Choral Activities and conductor of the performance.
"The Armed Man Film," a concert-length movie by Hefin Owen, will be shown during the performance. It features graphic images of war that may not be suitable for children. This multimedia event makes an unforgettably-visceral statement about the horrors of war.
"This work, arresting in its immediacy, is a powerful plea for peace and understanding in the face of modern cultural conflict," said Hanawalt. "It's impossible not to be deeply impacted by this innovative music and video -- it's incredibly powerful."
Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Box Office in the lobby of the Duerksen Fine Arts Center or online at wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. General admission is $12, with $10 discount tickets available for seniors, faculty/staff and military or $6 tickets for children and students. WSU students are eligible for one free ticket (visit http://www.wichita.edu/j/?4363 for details). For ticketing assistance, contact the Fine Arts Box Office from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 316-978-3233 or fasttickets@wichita.edu.