Composer

:

Ana Sokolovic

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2000

First Performance

:

June 15, 2000

Average_duration

:

09:16

"Six voix pour six reines" or "Six voices for sirens" is a contemporary vocal work composed by Ana Sokolovic. The piece was composed in 2010 and premiered on March 3, 2011, at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal, Canada. The work is divided into six movements, each dedicated to a different queen from history or mythology. The six queens are Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Marie Antoinette, Anne Boleyn, Sappho, and Scheherazade. Each movement is sung by a solo soprano, and the six voices come together in the final movement. The piece is characterized by its use of extended vocal techniques, including glissandi, multiphonics, and percussive sounds. The vocal lines are often disjunct and angular, with frequent changes in rhythm and tempo. The text is drawn from a variety of sources, including poetry, historical documents, and fictional accounts. Sokolovic's use of the six queens as inspiration for the work is significant. Each queen represents a different aspect of femininity and power, and the piece explores the ways in which women have been both celebrated and oppressed throughout history. The use of the siren as a metaphor for the female voice is also significant, as sirens were often portrayed as dangerous and seductive creatures in mythology. Overall, "Six voix pour six reines" is a challenging and thought-provoking work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary vocal music. Its exploration of female power and voice is both timely and timeless, and its use of extended vocal techniques and unconventional text sources make it a unique and compelling addition to the contemporary vocal repertoire.

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