Translations of the Night
CONCERT | TOUR | RESIDENCY
Translations (of the Night) is a bold collaboration between the London-based ensemble Marsyas Trio (Helen Vidovich – flute, Val Welbanks – cello, Olga Stezhko – piano) and mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, composers Ewan Campbell (University of Cambridge) and Thierry Pécou (Normandy), and musicologist Nicolas Darbon (Aix-Marseille Université). Featuring two major new commissions, concerts, public talks and family events, the project explores the complexities of post-colonialism and musical & cultural translations, inviting a broad audience into a rich and positive dialogue across languages, histories and identities.
“Rather than shy away from the complex colonial history of Ravel’s Chansons madécasses, the initial inspiration for this project, we seek to directly engage with the cultural repercussions of colonialism through contemporary musical settings of African, Madagascan and Nahua (Ancient Mexican) poetry written before, during or after colonisation. As a collective of musicians and academics, we hope to forge new meaningful intercultural connections through collaboration, artistic engagement and an exploration of the process of translation between languages, cultures and artforms.”
— Dr Ewan Campbell
“I hope my contribution, inspired by the wonders of the pre-Colombian civilisation reflected through Ancient Mexican poetry, will renew our thoughts and feelings about the heritage of colonisation. Whatever the dark side is, the more stimulating way to move beyond is to create.”
— Thierry Pécou
Composer
Dr Ewan Campbell (UK)
Thierry Pécou (FR)
Project Location: France and United-Kingdom
Artists: British
Composer: French and British
Calendar
2027 – Commission of a new work by Thierry Pécou, development of project content, translation, outreach materials and rehearsals.
Autumn 2027 – UK tour with concert and talk events in Cambridge and London.
Autumn 2027 – Residency and performances in Marseille, including a workshop/masterclass, a university concert, a MUCEM concert with a pre-concert talk, and a family concert.
Spring 2028 – Performances at the Glasgow Cathedral Festival, including a main concert with a talk and a family concert.
Summer 2028 – Tour to two French festivals, each featuring a main concert and a family concert.