MAC Classical Music: Soliloquies Shannon Merlino - Solo Viola

MAC favorite Shannon Merlino returns to perform the world premiere of local composer Sarah DuBois’ Chiaroscuro Partita, among other solo works. 

Based in the Philadelphia area, Dr Merlino is an in-demand soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. We are pleased to welcome her for this special performance.

Soliloquies 

In theater, a soliloquy is a vocalization of a character’s internal monologue in order to allow the audience a glimpse into their innermost thoughts and feelings. Works for an unaccompanied instrument often serve a similar purpose, and in many ways, allow for a greater connection between performer and audience. Much like a soliloquy in theatre, pieces within this category push the limits of both performer and composer, both artistically and technically.

This program will consist of four soliloquies for solo viola: Biber’s breathtaking Passacaglia, one of Reger’s deeply introspective solo viola sonatas, Ran’s dynamic and virtuosic Perfect Storm, and the premiere of Sarah DuBois’ Chiaroscuro Partita, written during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Program: 

Passacaglia from Rosenkranzsonaten : Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber

Chiaroscuro Partita : Sarah DuBois

Sonata, op. 131d no. 1 : Max Reger

Perfect Storm : Shulamit Ran