Step into a world where myth meets music. The Guardians of Yggdrasil is a bold and immersive new choral experience from acclaimed composer Mark Winges, inspired by the rich tapestry of Norse mythology. At the heart of the story stands Yggdrasil — the great World Tree that connects the nine realms — and the enigmatic guardians who protect it. Their voices, both ancient and eerily current, echo through an otherworldly soundscape shaped by Winges’ evocative choral writing and innovative use of live electronics.
In this genre-blurring work, myth becomes metaphor as themes of balance, destruction, protection, and renewal rise to the surface. The guardians — sometimes wise, sometimes ominous — bear witness to a world teetering on the edge of transformation. Through their eyes and voices, we’re invited to reflect on the fragility of our own world, and the forces, seen and unseen, that shape it.
The evening also features Ochre by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw — a luminous, contemplative work that evokes the layered textures and earthy tones of its namesake pigment. Originally commissioned by Volti, Ochre invites listeners into a spacious, sonic landscape that feels at once grounded and otherworldly, offering a beautiful counterpoint to the mythic sweep of Guardians.