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Raving Beauty: a Song Cycle Inspired by Mercedes de Acosta

Presented by Rosenbach Museum and Library and Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) at Rosenbach Museum and Library

April 9, 2011

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The Rosenbach Museum and Library presents an intimate concert of live music performed by some of the area’s finest musicians.  The highlight of the program is a world premiere by the Rosenbach’s Composer in Residence, Joseph Hallman. The Rosenbach commissioned the young composer to create a work based on the life of controversial writer and socialite Mercedes de Acosta, whose life exemplifies the spirit of Paris in the 1920s. A tender song cycle, Hallman’s piece explores Acosta’s relationships with the women in her life, including actress Greta Garbo, dancer Isadora Duncan, and Acosta’s sister, the fashion icon Rita Lydig. Works by Debussy, Takemitsu, and Bax complete the program. The concert will be performed by the critically-acclaimed Dolce Suono ensemble. It features flautist and Yamaha Peforming Artist Mimi Stillman, Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Principal Cello Yumi Kendall and harpist Coline-Marie Orliac, a student at the Curtis Institute of Music. The ensemble will be augmented by soprano Abigail Haynes Lennox. This event is part of the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival Of The Arts (PIFA).