Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade Op. 35, New Arrangement for Chamber Orchestra

“Scheherazade has always fascinated me,” says Simone Menezes about the character from the collection of tales known as One Thousand and One Nights, the inspiration for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic poem, among many other works. But the stereotypical depictions in literature, music, and film hardly do justice to this fabled storyteller: “Scheherazade’s greatness goes far beyond that—she represents an archetype of female heroism.” Based on a new chamber arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s music, Menezes and her Ensemble K have created a concert project including excerpts from One Thousand and One Nights, ancient love poetry, and newly written dialogue to provide a contemporary look at this legendary character. A panel discussion on the preceding evening will explore additional perspectives.

Presented in English.
In cooperation with Cartier