“The Daughters of Orpheus”
by MEDENA ENSEMBLE
Sunday 8 JUNE @ 6pm
@ Ellen Melville Centre
2 Freyberg Place, Auckland
Aotearoa’s premier Bulgarian Folklore Vocal Ensemble, lead by Tui Mamaki, present their new collection of exquisite a capella offerings - carrying song threads from afar with a longstanding passion and a dedication to the craft. The Daughters of Orpheus is a vibrant feminine tapestry of traditional Bulgarian song, where classic choral arrangements rub shoulders with obscure rural treasures, at times arranged for improvisation. This song cycle is specially prepared for Medena Ensemble’s upcoming collaboration with long standing New York based folk choir Yasna Voices, at the renowned Koprivshtitsa Festival, in Bulgaria in August. Medena Ensemble invite you to celebrate and support their inaugural journey to the source of this enchanted mahi. Orpheus was said to make music so beautiful that stones would roll, and trees would uproot, to follow him. All the women who carry folklore song threads in Bulgaria are deemed to be “The Daughters of Orpheus”.
Who are Medena? Be it through classic Bulgarian folklore choir arrangements or obscure rural treasure songs issue of TUi MAMAKi’s love affair with Bulgaria, at times arranged for improvisation, MEDENA ENSEMBLE explore that compelling vocal tone, bewitchingly close harmony, playful odd-meter rhythms and the colourful feminine fabric of a community blend. Medena means “honeyed”! Highlight performances include Auckland Folk Festival 2025, World Choir Games 2024, VoCo Auckland, and Unitarian Church in collaboration with Bulgarian Roses 2023.
*Please note ticket tiers are designed to cater to a wide range of means and are an invitation to support the project if you can. If you are unable to make the concert but would like to support the journey please consider contributing to Medena Ensembles crowdfund : https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/from-aotearoa-to-bulgaria-help-our-voices-take
