Andrew Balfour and musica intima present Nagamo
One of Canada’s top choirs presents a program of Baroque repertoire through an Indigenous lens.
Indigenous composer Andrew Balfour and Vancouver-based chamber choir musica intima will present their fascinating collaboration called Nagamo (which means ‘Sings’ in Ojibway). A concert of early Baroque composers, William Byrd, Henry Purcell and Thomas Tallis, reimagined into Cree and Ojibway by Balfour, Nagamo will also feature original works by the composer.
This ground-breaking, 2022 Juno Award-nominated project “reimagines the musical dialogue between the nations of the so-called New World and Old World,” says Balfour. “During the beginning of the 17th century, several Chiefs and esteemed Indigenous leaders journeyed to Europe in the hope of forging alliances. In many cases, they were treated as respected ambassadors. Nagamo explores the fantastical idea of what might have happened if the sharing of music, and the respect of culture had continued.”
One of Canada’s most esteemed vocal ensembles, musica intima strives to be a role model in building relationships with IBPOC artists across disciplines.
Of Cree descent, Andrew Balfour is an innovative composer, conductor, singer and sound designer, whose works have been commissioned by the Winnipeg, Regina and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, Tafelmusik and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, among others. Balfour specializes in creating “concept concerts,” many with Indigenous subject matter.
Contact