Danielpour: Darkness in the Ancient Valley, Lacrimae Beati & A Woman's Life

Featuring

Giancarlo Guerrero
Hila Plitmann
Angela Brown
Nashville Symphony
Richard Danielpour

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Composer Biography

Richard Danielpour, an award-winning composer, has received commissions from celebrated artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, and Dawn Upshaw.

Composition History

Danielpour's first opera, Margaret Garner, was created with Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison and had a second production at New York City Opera.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Darkness in the Ancient Valley was inspired by recent events in Iran and the brutalization of its people, particularly women, reflecting Danielpour's family lineage from Iran.

Composition History

Lacrimae Beati, meaning 'Tears of the Blessed One,' refers to Mozart and uses the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem as its source material.

Recording & Production

The Nashville Symphony, the orchestra on this recording, has received 14 GRAMMY® nominations and 7 GRAMMY® wins for its recordings on Naxos.

Performer Biography

Angela Brown, an American dramatic soprano, made her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Aida.

Compositional Technique

Darkness in the Ancient Valley is a secular liturgy drawing on Persian folk melodies and Sufi rhythms, blending Middle Eastern memory with a 21st-century American compositional style.