All-female orchestra VIRAGO plays at Museum Schnütgen

With 24 members of the Virago Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of:
Pascale Van Os

The program includes:

• Emilie Mayer, Overture 2 in D
• Caroline Shaw, Entracte
• Alicemary Smith, Andante for clarinet and orchestra in D major + Further works by IAWM COMPOSERS

Founder of VIRAGO, Eline Cote, says:

In this project we will cover women in music whose voices should have been on the foreground a long time ago. We address the stereotyping of so called 'masculine and feminine' instruments and what it is like to be a minority-not only because of being a female musician, but also by choice of instrument.
But the steps taken before the founding of the orchestra, were not simple nor easy. It was a stressful, demanding, exciting and tiring journey. Structure, endurance and perseverance are keywords to succeed. Maybe one has to be just a tad crazy to take on such a big project. It has been quite a challenge, but one well conquered by everyone involved. We are very excited and proud to show you that gender does not define musical capabilities.