ROCO’s Connections Series returns to the Asia Society Texas Center on October 20 presenting “Rise Up”— an evening of thought-provoking new chamber works and dialogue spotlighting the ongoing fight for women’s rights and equality, in the U.S, Iran, and around the world. This performance will also be livestreamed free at ROCO.org, Facebook, YouTube, and A440.live.

Artistic Partner Mei-Ann Chen leads an ensemble of twelve female ROCO musicians in the world premiere of Breaking the Veil by Grammy-winning Season 19 Composer-In-Residence Richard Danielpour and a new scoring of Texas-native composer Quinn Mason‘s ballet 19th Amendment—performed along with members of Houston Contemporary Dance Company, premiering new choreography by Founding Artistic and Executive Director Marlana Doyle.

Inspired by the current uprising and historic struggles of Iranian women seeking equal rights and freedom, Grammy-winning composer Richard Danielpour’s Breaking the Veil honors his family’s Persian heritage, and is dedicated to his mother Mehri Danielpour, an Iranian sculpturist.

Quinn Mason’s ballet 19th Amendment, in the composer’s words, “not only depicts the struggle of obtaining the right to vote, but contemplates the effect that passing of the 19th amendment has had on our current generation”.

Immediately following the work’s premiere, a panel discussion centered around women’s rights will take place, including women from Iran or with ties to the country, along with the composer.

Inspired by the current uprising and historic struggles of Iranian women seeking equal rights and freedom, Grammy-winning composer Richard Danielpour’s Breaking the Veil honors his family’s Persian heritage, and is dedicated to his mother Mehri Danielpour, an Iranian sculpturist.

Immediately following the work’s premiere, a panel discussion centered around women’s rights will take place, including women from Iran or with ties to the country, along with the composer.

This performance will also be livestreamed free at ROCO.org, Facebook, YouTube, and A440.live.

ARTISTS

Mei-Ann Chen, conductor

Brook Ferguson, Flute

Alecia Lawyer, Oboe

Kristin Wolfe Jensen, Bassoon

Houston Contemporary Dance Company