Biography
Based in Chicago, the Civitas Ensemble—commonly referred to as Civitas—has explored an uncommon blend between chamber music and artistic disciplines outside of sound. For this purpose, the ensemble has partnered with theatrical companies, dance performers, creators of visual works, among others, frequently appearing at educational institutions and unconventional spaces. Established in Chicago during 2011, the ensemble quickly attracted notice from the Chicago Humanities Festival, leading to an invitation for a joint performance alongside cellist Yo-Yo Ma during the festival’s 2012 edition, along with involvement in a discussion panel addressing The Artist and Citizenship, a theme reflected in the ensemble’s designation. In another capacity altogether, Civitas received designation as artists-in-residence with the Chinese Fine Arts Society located in the city. Appearances by the group have taken place at the Pritzker Pavilion within Millennium Park in downtown Chicago as part of the Loops and Variations series, while broadcasts on the classical station WFMT in Chicago earned the ensemble one of the station’s Best Live Broadcasts awards. Additionally, Civitas maintained a five-year role as artists-in-residence at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where members provided coaching to students alongside their performances. Engagements have extended to various Chicago locations including schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. A partnership was formed with Pavel Sporcl’s Gipsy Way Ensemble originating from the Czech Republic to develop works and adaptations that merge classical elements with Eastern European Gypsy traditions, supported through funding from the MacArthur Foundation’s International Connections Fund. This joint project produced performances across Chicago and the Czech Republic in addition to the 2018 release of the recording Alla Zingarese on the Chicago-based experimental label Cedille. During the 2018-2019 season, programming encompassed a range of events such as Mahler and Schoenberg chamber pieces presented at the Merit School of Music, a selection of chamber compositions by Glinka, Taneyev, and Khachaturian featured in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra chamber music series, Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time delivered at a University of Chicago gathering focused on the destiny of Shanghai’s Jewish community, and a joint effort with poet Rachel DeWoskin, whose poems drew inspiration from selections by Grieg, Dvořák, Amy Beach, and Louise Farrenc.
Albums
