Fragments from Augustine the Saint

featuring Kenneth Gayle and Lauren Anderson

           
   
Wednesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m.

The chamber opera, Fragments from Augustine the Saint, depicts St. Augustine’s philosophical and spiritual musings – his “dark night of the soul” and inner transformation. This mystical journey in song and movement draws its texts from nine of Augustine’s major writings. 

Saint Augustine of Hippo lived during a time of tremendous political, social, and religious upheaval much like our own. Ambition, hypocrisy, and spiritual longing competed for attention in his world, where East and West collided, offering a distinct parallel to events of today. This work examines Augustine’s subconscious and, by extension, that of the collective Western religious psyche. 

Dr. Beverly Grigsby, a pioneer in the fields of electronic music and music technology, won a National Endowment for the Arts Award for this composition in 1973. Houston tenor Kenneth Gayle will be joined by Houston Ballet’s star Lauren Anderson and guest artists. The Rothko Chapel production is unique in that it adds the element of movement/dance to illustrate the archetypal Feminine. Dance represents Augustine’s subconscious mind and the feminine face of the Divine.  

Scored for tenor, harp, clarinet, and percussion, the performance will be conducted by Jacob Sustaita, a doctoral student in conducting at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. 

The composer, who turned 80 in January, will be in attendance at both performances. This Houston premier will be only the third public concert of this piece. 

This program is sponsored by KUHF. 

Free admission only with ticket. Tickets available in the Chapel beginning Saturday, April 26th.
Tickets must be picked up in person.  Two ticket maximum.
 

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