MAH17: Juliet The Moon – A Live Installation for the Reading Room at Central Library
Polly Checkland Harding
Letters sent between Frank Merrick, pianist and tutor at the RNCM, and his wife Hope Squires throughout Merrick’s imprisonment during WWI for being an opponent to the war effort provide the inspiration for this unique evening of music at Central Library, as part of Manchester After Hours 2017. RNCM composers Philippos Rousiamanis and Deane Smith have written two new works specially for the library’s Reading Room, which will be performed by an ensemble of singers and cellists, with singing glasses.
Exploring themes of loss and intimacy, the two pieces are performed independently and then gradually combined as the evening progresses. There will also be a display of letters, programmes, articles and other materials uncovered during the RNCM’s research into Manchester’s musical life in the First World War.
