The Glasshouse has officially announced a new partnership with GemArts, a prominent arts organization specializing in South Asian and diverse programming. This collaboration coincides with The Glasshouse’s celebration of its 20th anniversary season. With this addition, GemArts becomes the fifth artistic partner, joining an impressive lineup that includes Corinne Bailey Rae, Maria Włoszczowska, The Unthanks, and John Wilson’s Sinfonia of London.
As part of this partnership, GemArts will present six annual performances, notably featuring events during the popular Masala Festival. The season kicks off on September 27, 2023, with the Orchestral Qawwali Project, a large-scale co-production showcasing music by Rushil Ranjan and the celebrated vocals of Abi Sampa, acknowledged as the UK’s first female Qawwal.
Exciting Upcoming Performances
The autumn season promises a variety of engaging concerts, including the Riverside Ragas series. Upcoming performances include Tar Rang – 100 Colours, 100 Strings on September 19, Ghazal Lounge on October 10, and Sanskrati Wahane featuring Gurdain Rayatt on November 28.
Other artistic partners will also take center stage in the coming months. Bailey Rae is set to lead a music and dance residency at a primary school in Gateshead. The Unthanks will debut their quarterly Friday Night Club on September 26. Moreover, Włoszczowska will collaborate with the Royal Northern Sinfonia for performances of works by Strauss and Mahler on the season’s opening day, while John Wilson’s Sinfonia of London will return for concerts on October 17 and December 18.
Wendy Smith, Creative Director at The Glasshouse, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Having five Artistic Partners at once is a huge step for us. It’s a clear sign of the artist-led, creatively ambitious era we’re in.”
This new collaboration reflects The Glasshouse’s commitment to enhancing its cultural offerings and fostering a vibrant arts community. As the venue marks two decades of artistic contributions, the inclusion of GemArts signifies a promising future for diverse programming and engagement with audiences in the region.