The Happenstancers announces its program “BABES IN TOYLAND.”

The concert features works by Unsuk Chin, W.A. Mozart, the world premiere of new music for voice and ensemble by Matthew Ricketts, as well as the Canadian premiere of works by Anna Clyne, and Ryan Chase. Performers include soprano Reilly Nelson and a roster of Canadian instrumentalists, led by conductor Simon Rivard.

“‘BABES IN TOYLAND’ is a psychedelic array of boldly-coloured works — many of which have never been heard in Canada,” says the composer in a press release. Rickett’s two songs, commissioned by The Happenstancers for this performance are set to texts by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Of writing these pieces, Ricketts says, “These two Edna St. Vincent Millay songs follow a longer Millay setting for baritone and piano (“Songs for Judith,” 2023) which I had quite recently finished when Brad Cherwin approached me to write some new music for The Happenstancers. Having spent time at Edna’s former home at Steepletop—now an artist residency outside of Austerlitz, NY—in Fall 2022, I was already deeply connected with the poet and poetry alike, and was thus very happy to return to her familiar words once again for these new songs.”

“BABES IN TOYLAND” takes place in Toronto on Sept. 12, at 7:30 pm, at the 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education.