2019-2020 Season (Portland, OR)

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March 14-15, Saturday & Sunday, 7:30PM

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The American Promise

Presented by Big Mouth Society

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www.big-mouth.org

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Following the success of such innovative programs as Radical Softness, The Glorious Cuntata, Made in America, and Sirens, Interrupted!, BMS is pleased to present the critically acclaimed chamber ensemble, The Broken Consort, to create the world-premiere performance of The American Promise, a logical and timely sequel to our Made in America program.

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What did George Washington hope for when he signed the founding documents? What did migrants from all around the world seek in this “promised land”? What did our soldiers fight for in various wars? How did these hopes and promises evolve and change over time, taking us to our current moment? Promises are worth crossing the Rio Grande for, but they are also so fragile and breakable.

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TBC tracks the rise, fall, and evolution of American ideals and promises of the last 250 years, using materials from concerted music, folk music, popular music, poetry, newspaper articles, iconography, and live improvisation. Our historically informed musical experts will be performing on handmade instruments from the baroque, classical, and modern periods from all around the USA.

In a time of chaos and despair, we hope to offer a thoughtful review, and a hopeful path forward. Please join us in this project to think deeply, act kindly, and change bravely.

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Performers:

Niccolo Seligmann, viola da gamba, dulcimer, fiddles, and more

Julie Bosworth, voice and fiddle

Emily Lau, voice and percussion

Peter Lim, harpsichord, oboe, recorders

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