(seating is limited for this free concert so please register here)

The EU premiere of the string quartet, The Thailand HRDs, takes place May 20th at La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels, performed by the Tana Quartet, as part of Protection International‘s South East Asia human rights work.

Part concert, part photo exhibit, part memorial to Thai environmental activists. This 35-movement musical elegy is dedicated to victims who were killed or went missing because of their efforts to stop powerful interests who wanted to destroy their community’s environment and impede human rights.

It sounds like heavy subject matter but the music is both elegiac and defiant. It is a great way to learn about the realities of activism around the world. This concert is in a unique and beautiful hall, which will give audience members a poignant way to reflect and contemplate how each of us can make our own mark in this world.

Recognised by The Guardian as “impeccable players”, the Tana Quartet is recipient of an array of international awards.

“Tana invent the quartet of the twenty-first century. The are audacious, pioneers and precursors. Tana foresee the new sounds of the modern string quartet.” (The Chicago Reader)

Special thanks to Protection International for the important work that they do and for commissioning this piece, to Luke Duggleby for his inspiring photographs, and to the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Arts Foundation and the Kathleen McMorrow Music Award. We wouldn’t have what we have in our world today if it wasn’t for all the human rights defenders who are out there every day trying to make this world a better place for all.

photo by Luke Duggleby/Protection International from the photo essay,
For Those Who Died Trying