ETHEL

In the paraphrased words of Mark Twain, “The reports of the circus’ death are greatly exaggerated.” While headlines around the world conflate the closing of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show with the demise of circus itself, the indefatigable spirit of the “show folks” who dare to fly, dance on air, tame nature, and defy death remains vigorously alive in big tops, arenas, street festivals, television studios, and in the backyards of future daredevils everywhere.

A most surprising testament to the fortitude, joy, and transcendence of the circus performer is coming from a quartet of string musicians. For more than two years, ETHEL, the renowned New York City-based ensemble, has been engaged in the creation of Circus—Wandering City, an evening-length multimedia performance that explores the phenomenon of circus through the eyes and insights of the people who created its special thrills and illusions. Commissioned by The Ringling in 2015, the immersive work combines projections of stunning images, films, and interviews from the Museum’s archives, the words of circus performers past and present, and original music composed and performed live by ETHEL. Through a dynamic juxtaposition of music and imagery, ETHEL’s latest creation captures the spirit of legendary circus artists who brought excitement and mystery to one of America’s most iconographic cultural experiences. After three years of development, the work makes its world premiere at the Historic Asolo Theater in January 2018—the 250th anniversary of the modern circus.

Established in 1998, ETHEL is now hailed as one of America’s more adventurous string quartets. Described as “extraordinarily skilled, passionate musicians” by The New York Times and “virtuosic, vital and brilliant” by The New Yorker, ETHEL has garnered praise not only for their musicianship, but also for their prolific commissioning of new music. At the heart of the ensemble is a collaborative ethos—a quest for a common creative expression that is forged in the celebration of community. This generosity of spirit was evident when the ensemble first appeared at the Historic Asolo Theater in 2014 in performances with the Taos Pueblo musician, Robert Mirabal. ETHEL returned in 2015 with Documerica, a multimedia stage production inspired by the photographic archives of the Environmental Protection Agency. It was the ensemble’s powerful interpretation of archival imagery that prompted The Ringling to envision a comparable revitalization of its vast holdings of circus film, photography, and oral histories.

For the musicians of ETHEL, the commission has become, in the words of ensemble co-founder, cellist Dorothy Lawson, “the most dramatically evolved project we have ever pursued...it has pushed us to develop new skills in stagecraft, mindfulness, and interpersonal communications.” Inspired by the circus performers’ acts of daring and feats of strength, Lawson— along with Ralph Farris (viola), Kip Jones (violin), and Corin Lee (violin)— individually and collectively composed new works that explore and exemplify the archetypes of risk, skill, strength, beauty, grace, courage, and, “through everything, community...always tying the acts of wonder back to our universal, shared humanity.” Lawson asks, “Who knew, a string quartet might need to investigate their souls to really embody the energies of love, ferocity, fear, or selfless transcendence?” In a more playful tone, violist Ralph Farris adds, “ETHEL is honored to partner with The Ringling in creating our newest, most thrilling, most death-defying, most neverbefore-attempted-by-a-string-quartet-anytime-anywhere show on earth!”

Composed and performed by the members of ETHEL, Circus—Wandering City is under the direction of video artist Grant McDonald leading a New York-based team of scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers. The January premiere is part of The Ringling’s 2017-2018 New Stages series of Global Music. Additionally, the production has already been selected for inclusion in the prestigious BAM Next Wave Festival for the fall of 2018.

New Stages In Global Music

NOV 10 – 11

AWAKE

LOVE ORCHESTRA Sweden

Making their US debut with a fusion of folk, choral, and popular music that transports the listener from Scandinavia and the Mediterranean to Eastern Europe and the United States.

DEC 8 – 9

MONSIEUR PERINÉ Colombia

Rooted in gypsy jazz and celebrating the tradition of Django Reinhardt, Monsieur Periné‘s fresh style adds a variety of Latin elements to the mix.

JAN 26 – 27

ETHEL 's Circus—Wandering City

United States

FEB 16 – 17

SOMI United States/Little Africa

Music inspired by Harlem’s Petite Afrique and its ornate traditional fabrics, Francophone bibles, palm oil and shea butter, and tribes of fast-fingered hair braiders.

MAR 2 – 3

CHUCHO VALDÉS Cuba

This Cuban pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader has been a key figure in the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz for 50 years.

MAR 23 – 24

TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET United States

Bird’s Eye View: The Legend of Charlie Parker

An homage to the incandescent brilliance of Charlie Parker—the genius who catapulted jazz into art and indelibly altered the musical landscape of America.

TICKETS: ringling.org or 941-360-7399

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