A concert inspired by the songs of endangered birds

The Attenborough Arts Centre has commissioned a new concert ‘The Red Species List’, to respond to the current exhibition by internationally acclaimed artists Lucy ₊ Jorge Orta, whose artwork questions the social and ecological sustainability of our planet.

The concert takes place on Friday 22 April and is a collaboration by Leicester-based artist and Marketing Officer at Attenborough Arts Centre, Lucy Stevens and East Midlands based musicians Rishii Chowdhury (tabla), Waqas Choudhary (bansri – Indian flute) and Eleanor Graff-Baker (violin).

This artist-led collaboration will highlight the decline of birds in the UK, with a particular focus on birds on the Red List that are of highest conservation concern, which accounts for more than one-quarter of the UK species. The concert will explore the songs of endangered bird species, using live music, field recordings and vibrant projections, featuring hand drawn visualisations and prints of birdsong. The musicians will respond to the soundtrack of birdsong using a combination of structured verses and improvisation, using a mix of Western classical and traditional with Indian classical and folk music styles.

Stevens’ art practice examines the acoustic ecology of the natural environment using field recording, digital illustration, drawing and printmaking as a tool to better understand the diversity of bird species and the wider issues of biodiversity.

Tickets for The Red Species List on Friday 22 April, 8pm can be purchased at Attenborough Arts Centre for £8 (full) / £7 (concession) / £5 (student) or at the Box office: 0116 252 2455.