Constantinople – Breathings

This program is the meeting of three captivating musical traditions, deeply rooted in the essence of breath, the vital force that connects all cultures and peoples. The songs and drums of the Mi’kmaq, the invocations of Inuit throat singing, and the deep, evocative sounds of the musicians of Constantinople come together in this concert that celebrates the power of breathing in music.

Inheritors of living indigenous traditions that originate from the sounds of nature, Darlene Gijuminag and Celina Kalluk engage in a timeless musical dialogue with the virtuosos of Constantinople, immersing us in the richness of ancestral musical traditions.

Artists
Darlene Gijuminag, mi’kmaq drums and voice

Singer-songwriter and percussionist Darlene Gijuminag was born on October 11, 1971 in Gesgapegiag. She experienced a pivotal moment in her life that would mark the beginning of her deep love of music when, at the age of seven, she first heard Buffy Sainte-Marie sing. Music is an integral part of the culture she inherited, and Darlene delights in teaching her community’s youth about the traditions and spirituality inherent in the Mi’kmaq culture. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, with a connection to nature that continually inspires her music.

Celina Kalluk, Inuit throat singing

Celina Kalluk is an Inuit-Canadian artist, born in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, the largest and northernmost of the Canadian territories. Renowned for her practice of Inuit throat singing, known as katajjaq, she performs at major events and has allowed millions of spectators to discover her art at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Constantinople

Inspired by the ancient city illuminating the East and West, Constantinople was founded in 2001 in Montreal by its artistic director, Kiya Tabassian.

The ensemble has 22 albums to its credit on labels Analekta, Atma, World Village, Buda Musique, Ma Case, Dreyer Gaido and Glossa. Over the course of the decade, Constantinople has created 60 works and travelled to more than 290 cities in 57 countries.

Kiya Tabassian, setar, voice and direction
Didem Başar, kanun
Patrick Graham, percussion
Etienne Lafrance, double bass
Kianoush Khalilian, ney

Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 8:00pm
To purchase your tickets, visit: www.mbam.qc.ca/en/bourgie-hall/