Fruitmarket and EAF25 present the UK premiere of Voiceless Mass, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composition by Diné/Navajo artist and composer Raven Chacon performed by Scottish Ensemble.
Composed for organ and a large ensemble of flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion, strings and electronics, the piece explores the deliberate silencing of voices within colonial and institutional frameworks. The performance highlights the complicity of the Catholic Church in the suppression of Indigenous voices, abduction and abuse of Indigenous children in residential schools in the Americas.
A conversation between Raven Chacon and vocalist and composer Elaine Mitchener will precede the performance.
This performance is presented ahead of the 2025 edition of Deep Time, Fruitmarket’s annual festival of new music, titled I See Red, which will be curated by Raven Chacon in the Fruitmarket Warehouse from 27—29 November.
! Includes loud music and themes of deliberate silencing of colonised voices and violence.
Access
→ To avoid disruption to the artists and audience, no latecomers will be permitted at this event.
→ Photos and video will be taken on the day, which may be used online and in print. If you do not wish to be included, please speak to a member of staff when you arrive
→ This is a fully seated performance with pew-style seating. If you require a specific type or placement of seat, please let us know in the “Access Needs” section when booking your ticket.
→ The event will include loud and immersive sound. Masks and earplugs or ear defenders are required, these will be provided by EAF.
→ There is no designated quiet space at the venue. However, an EAF staff member will be happy to guide you outside if you need a break at any point.
→ The event takes place at St Giles’ Cathedral, which can be accessed via a short set of steps or a ramp across a cobbled square.
→St Giles does not have a fully accessible toilet. There is one small toilet on the same level as the main space (no steps), but it does not have handrails or an emergency cord. The nearest accessible toilet is located at the French Institute, just across the car park next to St Giles (entrance on George IV Bridge). It has a unisex accessible toilet on the ground floor, to the right of the reception desk.
Sorry, there are no more of this item.Presented with Fruitmarket, and performed by Scottish Ensemble.