“Voices of Byzantium” — Fairfield University Art Museum Presents a Concert of Sacred Music, September 12th | Press Releases

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Sept. 1, 2016) — The Fairfield University Art Museum presents a free concert of Byzantine sacred music on Monday, September 12,7:00 p.m., in conjunction with Vaults of Heaven: Visions of Byzantium, an exhibition of photographs of medieval Byzantine churches in present-day Istanbul and the Capadocia region of Turkey, on view in the galleries in Bellarmine Hall through September 16, 2016. Three of these monumental photographs have been installed in the lobby of the Quick Center where they can be seen by concertgoers before the performance.

Presented in collaboration with the Axion Estin Foundation, “Voices of Byzantium,” a concert of Byzantine sacred music, will take place in the Wien Theatre of the Quick Center. During the concert images from the exhibition will be projected behind an ensemble of chanters who will perform an exquisite selection of response repertory linked to the saints and themes captured in these monumental works by acclaimed Turkish photographer Ahmet Ertug. Renowned chanters Eleftherios Eleftheriadis and Georgios Theodoridis will serve as soloists.

Since 2006, the Axion Estin Foundation, based in New Rochelle, New York, has helped to bring the musical heritage of Byzantium to a diverse public. No medium catches the audience up in the spirit of Byzantium more directly than does music, which literally restores a voice from the past. Through their conferences and sponsored lectures, Axion Estin continues to present the best and most recent scholarship on Byzantine music as well as world-class performances informed by this research. (www.axionestin.org)

Lead support for this concert has been generously provided by Susan and Michael Angelaras.At Fairfield University funding was also provided by the following programs and departments in the College of Arts and Sciences: Art History and Music Programs in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Programs in Classical Studies and in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, and the Department of Religious Studies. For exhibition opening hours, concert details, and other information visit the museum’s website (fairfield.edu/museum). Advance registration for the concert is highly recommended. Register at fuam.eventbrite.com.