Music, surprises, and happy announcements abounded
By Lucie K. Scheuer for Ashland.news
Anima Mundi Productions’ creative team presented a festive and intimate dinner for supporters and subscribers on May 3 at Pascal Winery, an event intended to launch their 2025-2026 season “For Love of Nature.”
It was an evening of greatly anticipated announcements and saporous surprises.
The season’s lineup includes “Mass for the Endangered,” a masterwork by composer Sarah Kirkland Snider that serves as a musical elegy in praise of nature.
New and familiar faces will also abound, including return performances from the passionately expressive, vocally agile Cecilia Duarte and Spanish piano virtuoso Daniel del Pino.
Perhaps the happiest news involves Palestinian-Jordanian singer-composer Dr. Shireen Abu-Khader. Originally booked to conclude last year’s performances, she had to postpone due to illness, but is scheduled to appear with the Usul Ensemble on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Anima Mundi will share more information as it becomes available.
Elegant news was matched by equally elegant decor at the event.
The upper tasting room at Paschal’s was arranged with long, cream linen draped tables, napkins and party favors wrapped in pink sparkling Tulle. The choices reflected the artistic flair, attention to detail, and romantic ambiance we’ve come to expect from co-producer Tiziana DellaRovere, who also shared two enchanting, nature-inspired poems. One titled “Ode to My Garden,” is excerpted here.
We all breathe the same air.
We all hear the sound of raindrops
On the green leaves of the garden.
One day, we will look into each other’s eyes
And recognize ourselves…
Co-producer and operatic composer Ethan Gans-Morse was on hand to introduce the season, simply titled “Concerts 1, 2 and 3.”
“Concert 1” is a filmed musical work, first recorded in 2020 in “Mass for the Endangered.” Guests for the evening were treated to a brief screening featuring highlights and artistic renderings from “Mass” by composer Sarah Kirkland Snider. According to the brochure, the piece “embodies prayer for endangered animals and the imperiled environments in which they live.”
The libretto is composed in Latin by writer, visual artist and musician Nathaniel Bellows, with animation by Deborah Johnson. Described as a “multisensory film experience,” it will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, 1500 E. Main. St., Ashland.
Yes, you read that correctly. According to Anima Mundi, it is partnering with ScienceWorks to “offer opportunities for concert attendees of its nature-themed concerts to learn about environmental sciences and how to be stewards of our natural world.”
There are also opportunities to participate for teens involved in ScienceWorks’ STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS and Math) program. Anima Mundi is inviting families who are interested to attend a multimedia presentation about the Heart of Humanity Concert Series and ScienceWorks’ STEAM initiatives at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at ScienceWorks.
“Concert 2” will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Southern Oregon University’s Recital Hall, 450 S. Mountain Ave., Ashland.
The piece brings back mezzo soprano Cecilia Duarte, and her deeply passionate, nuanced voice. Grammy award-winning Duarte played the anguished Rosario in Gans-Morse’s and poet-librettist Della Rovere’s heart-rendering opera “Dreams Have No Borders” last year. She will be presenting songs in praise of nature, accompanied by Spanish percussionist Jesús Pacheco and Venezuelan pianist, Ana Maria Otamendi.
With “Concert 3,” Anima Mundi will once again feature Flamenco-inspired pianist Daniel del Pino at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2026 at SOU’s Recital Hall. Del Pino’s colorful playing will evoke the natural world in harmony with new poems read by Tiziana DellaRovere.
One of the Paschal evening’s highlights was a brief, but moving piano recital of pieces by Chopin, Brahms and Debussy, presented by Ukrainian-born pianist Iryna Kudielina. It was a perfect addition to an evening filled with friends, wine, music, poetry and the promise of a beautiful Anima Mundi season to come.
For information and tickets to all events, call: (541) 833-3066 or email [email protected].
Reach Ashland-based writer Lucie K. Scheuer at [email protected].
