Animal Songs, created by Pearse, features whimsical and poignant musical portraits of creatures ranging from wombats and goldfish to dolphins, manatees, capybaras, and even a Tibetan goat. The music explores our complex relationship with the animal kingdom through the intimacy of song, drawing on both historical works and compositions by living composers. The program includes selections from Francis Poulenc’s early 20th-century song cycle Le bestiaire, as well as contemporary works such as Three Wombat Songs, inspired by the Victorian-era practice of keeping exotic animals as pets, and The Diver, a lyrical tribute to the often-maligned pigeon. As Pearse notes, “The medium of song has a way of disarming an audience, allowing for deeper consideration of a subject… I want to explore why animals are denied the autonomy we afford ourselves, and ask whether that is just.”

For a full schedule of events, visit wimuseum.org or follow us on social media @wimuseum.

Questions? Call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.

This program is funded in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Culture and Animals Foundation.

Joshua Hahn, flute :: Stacey David, percussion

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