Event Details
Music in the Galleries
The Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra partners with the RISD Museum to pair live choral performances with works of art.
The Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) and the RISD Museum will transform an evening at the museum into an immersive experience of music and art on Thursday, October 1, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. As part of the museum’s Free Thursday program, visitors are invited to wander through the galleries, discovering live performances inspired by the artwork that surrounds them. Admission to this event is free and open to the public.
Instead of gathering in a concert hall, audiences will encounter chamber ensembles performing throughout five museum galleries, with music chosen to complement the collections on display. The evening concludes with a larger performance in the museum’s Grand Gallery, creating an experience where visitors can move freely between music and art at their own pace.
“The idea for this program comes out of RICCO’s mission to engage with our community,” said Music Director Joshua Rohde. “The RISD Museum is one of Rhode Island’s iconic artistic spaces, and we wanted to explore what could happen when the art on the walls becomes part of the musical experience.”
Throughout the evening, visitors will discover music paired with specific collections. From Japanese folk music performed alongside Japanese art to Renaissance choral works, contemporary compositions, and rarely-heard Inuit music, each performance will take on a new meaning influenced by the surrounding artwork. The Grand Gallery finale will also offer a preview of major works by Johannes Brahms and Arvo Pärt, which RICCO will be performing later this season.
“I think magic is the right word,” Rohde said. “The museum is already an incredible place to encounter art. Pairing it with live choral music only deepens the experience. It’s one thing to hear beautiful music in your car. It’s another to hear it while surrounded by spaces that inspire reflection and wonder.”
“The RISD Museum is a place where people can encounter art in unexpected ways,” said Deborah Clemons, Director of Public Programs for the museum. “We’re excited to partner with RICCO to create an evening where music and art enrich one another in ways that are both meaningful and memorable.”
Each performance lasts about fifteen minutes and repeats throughout the evening, making the event easy to enjoy whether visitors stay for ten minutes or all three hours, Rohde said. “We hope people who love art discover choral music, people who love choral music discover the museum, and everyone leaves wanting to come back for more.
Press Contact:
Mark Berger
(401) 365-2202
markb@bergseyeprri.com