Rituals to Mould Her With

Rituals to Mould Her With is a new multimedia venture inspired by Dr Kati Ihnat’s research. She explores how prominent men used the figure of the Virgin Mary to encourage particular behaviours in women in early medieval Iberia.

The twin composers Effy and Litha Efthymiou have created a work in response to Ihnat’s research, scored for harpsichord, electronics and percussion, and incorporating theatre and dance. This project unites the composers, whose work has recently been described as “deeply immersive” (Simon Cummings, 5against4, 2015) with Jane Chapman — “Britain’s most progressive harpsichordist” (The Independent on Sunday) and two rising stars of the theatre and dance worlds, actor Esme Patey-Ford and dance artist Harriet Parker-Beldeau.

Dr Ihnat’s research is part of The Old Hispanic Office project, funded by the European Research Council and led by Dr Emma Hornby (University of Bristol, Music department). Dr Hornby says “I am really excited to see the genesis of this collaborative art work. It explores aspects of gender politics in a thoroughly modern way, but through the lens of Kati Ihnat’s discoveries about early medieval culture.”

The collaboration is supported by the Brigstow Institute, Hinrichsen Foundation, RVW Trust and Bristol University’s Impact award. The work was performed at the RWA in Bristol on 17 November 2016, Turner Sims Southampton on 5 December 2016, and Kings Place in London on 5 February 2017.

Find out more

• email Litha Efthymiou: le13701@bristol.ac.uk
• efthymiou.co.uk
• Q&A at Kings Place
• Write-up of the Southampton performance

Previous related concerts

• 20 April 2016, The Lord Mayor's Chapel, Clifton, Bristol, 115pm. A new work by Litha Efthymiou, performed by the Bristol University Schola Cantorum, in a programme of medieval chant and polyphony. 
• Litha Efthymiou, 'Tread Softly' for string quartet received its London premier at the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room on Sunday 18th October 2015.
  
• Litha Efthymiou, 'Tread Softly' for string quartet performed at St George's Bristol on 20th September 2015.  
• Litha Efthymiou, String quartet - 7th June Royal West of England Academy
• Litha Efthymiou, Myisi - Palm Sunday Multimedia piece - 26th July Tete a Tete opera festival, London
• Bristol University New Music Ensemble concert, March 2015, Victoria Rooms, University of Bristol, included the first performance of Litha Efthymiou's Dancing Seas (Schola Cantorum and NME). 
• Contemporary Music Venture concert, 5th March, 8pm Victoria Rooms, Bristol University, included a work by Litha Efthymiou for Flute and Electronics. 
• Royal Musical Association Research Students Conference, 10th Jan 2015, 1pm Victoria Rooms, included a performance of Litha Efthymiou's Moon to Earth by the Bristol University Schola Cantorum 
• 7 September 2014,  St Georges, Brandon Hill, Bristol: a new work for two violins by Litha Efthymiou - performed by members of the Bristol Ensemble as part of New Music in the South West 
• 16 March 2014 Kings Place London, 4pm. A programme of works by Litha Efthymiou, several of which build on her work with the Old Hispanic Office project. More details available at the Kings Place website
• 12 March 2014, St Pauls Church, Clifton, Bristol, 115pm. A new work by Litha Efthymiou, performed by the Bristol University Schola Cantorum, in a programme of medieval chant and polyphony.