Biography
Dr. Evangelia Rigaki has a diverse compositional portfolio ranging from instrumental works to experimental music theatre, dance, performance art, installation and opera.
Her compositions are rooted in instrumental theatre, experimental music theatre and contemporary opera and she is collaborating closely with leading musicians, singers, directors and writers/ poets.
Evangelia joined Trinity in September 2010 and since has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. She is the founding Director of the 'MPhil in Composition' (2012-2020) and also curates the 'Music Composition Centre's public lectures and public Masterclasses. Since June 2020 she is the Head of the Music Department.
In March 2014 she chaired and organized the major 3 days International Composition Conference, 'Composition in the 21st Century' which featured Sir. Harrison Birtwistle and Raymond Deane as the keynote speakers.
Selected recent projects include: the opera 'Old Ghosts', libretto by Marina Carr for the Ulysses 2.2 tribute across Ireland to mark a century of James Joyce's Ulysses, Irish National Opera, ANU Productions, Landmark Productions (2023), the short opera `The Gift', libretto by Marina Carr, as part of Irish National Opera's online project, `20 Shots of Opera' (2020), the installation opera 'This Hostel Life' after the same titled book by Melatu Uche Okorie, Irish National Opera (2019), 'While The World Misbehaves, the Baby Must Hide in the Beehive',libretto by W.N. Herbert, for 6 Dancing Percussionists, written for Richard O Donnell and the 20th Anniversary of RIAM's 'Percussion Ensemble' premiered in New York University (2018), the object music theatre piece 'Monsieur Jean & Monsieur Jean', premiered by Ensemble Lucilin in Luxembourg (2015), the opera-installation 'The Pregnant Box' (2014), libretto by W.N. Herbert & Catherine Conlon, written for one audience member at a time in a specially constructed confession box and a wandering choir, the Arts Council funded opera "AntiMidas, or, Bankers in Hades', libretto by W.N. Herbert (2013).
Evangelia Rigaki's current PhD Students at Trinity are researching:
- Theatrical Elements and Musical Dramaturgy in Contemporary Music', PhD in Composition, Manos Markantonis
- Cross-fertilising Irish and European Styles of Compositional Construction: a new direction of music composition, Daniel Vives Lynch
- Sounds and shapes from Nature, inspiring Music compositions, PhD in Composition, Serena Conese
- The Ancient Greek Drama and its Influence on the Operatic History, Anastasia Motiti
- Contemporary Opera, PhD in Composition, Boris Golovin
Completed PhD in Composition Portfolios supervised by Evangelia Rigaki include the following:
- Lindsey Vincent, `On the Move: Investigating processes of composition using visual/dramatic/physical elements and extended techniques with a focus on solos, mixed ensembles, and the marching arts', 2021
- Kai Chung Fung, 'Composing the Uncertainty - Exploring different possibilities of indeterminacy in composition and developing notations to encourage improvisation', 2021
- Meg Stoops, `Melting the Boundaries : Integrating Ethnic Instruments into Western Art Music, 2021
- Brian Keegan, 'Evolving Sounds - PhD Portfolio of Compositions', 2018
- Elis Czerniak, PhD Portfolio of Compositions, 2018
- Cobi Van Tonder, 'Sublime Dissonance - PhD Portfolio of Compositions', 2017
- Jenn Kirby, 'Big Scary Numbers - PhD Portfolio of Compositions', 2015
- Hugh O'Neill, 'The Use of Gesture and Found Information in the Generation of Musical Material - PhD Portfolio of Compositions', 2015
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Evangelia Rigaki, Melatu Uche Okorie, 'This Hostel Life, Opera-Installation', Irish National Opera, 2019, -
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N.Herbert, 'AntiMidas, or, Bankers in Hades, Opera', Beckett Theatre, Dublin, Arts Council, 2013, -
Evangelia Rigaki Composer, Agnes Limbos Director, 'Monsieur Jean & Monsieur Jean, object music-theatre', Rottundes, Luxembourg, 2015, -
Evangelia Rigaki Music, W.N. Herbert, Words, 'While the World Misbehaves, The Baby Must Hide in the Beehive', Composition for 6 Percussionists, New York University, Lehman College New York, CMC, 2018, -
Evangelia Rigaki , 'OTMEN [Breath] for pianist & optional audience participation', Cathy Krier, Festival Debussy, CAPe Ettelbrück (LU) -12th july 2019 -> Rosazzo Vigne Museum (Italy) - 28th September 2020 -> Frauenkirche Dresden, Germany , 2018, -
Lubna Gem Arielle Words, Evangelia Rigaki Music, Aljosa Smolic, 'Bridging the Blue', V-Sense, Trinity College Dublin, 2018, -
Evangelia Rigaki Music & W.N. Herbert Words, 'Lost Ships List, for Ria Georgiadis & Sven Birch', Alte Schmiede Wien, 19 June, 2018, Contemporary Music Centre, CMC, 2018, -
Evangelia Rigaki Music & W.N. Herbert Words, 'In the Oubliette', V-Sense, Trinity College Dublin , V-Sense, Contemporary Music Centre, 2018, -
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N. Herbert (words) , 'If Words Are Water', Christ Church, Taney, Dundrum/New York University, School of Music/ Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College/Lehman College School of Music,, 2020, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Sjaron Minailo, ''Hadith Al Rouh' (Dutch title: Gesprekken Van De Ziel)', Operadagen Rotterdam Festival, May, Operadagen Rotterdam Festival, May, 2009, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Taste I/II/III', Bill Dowdall, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2017, -
Evangelia Rigaki, The Pregnant Box, genesis and develoment. , Music Department, University of Glasgow, 17 February, 2016
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N. Herbert, Darren Ellis, 'Little Instruments of Apprehension', Tete a Tete Opera Festival London, 2009, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Playthings', Inspired by Michael Cronin's (French Department, TCD) same titled chapter from the book 'Time Tracks, Scenes from the Irish Everyday'. , Bill Dowdall, Music Dpt Ionion University, Greece, Contemporary Music Centre, CMC, 2018, -
Evangelia Rigaki creator/composer, Libretto: W.N. Herbert, Catherine Conlon, 'The Pregnant Box', Trinity College Dublin, Front Square, 2014, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant': The Post-minimalist Gerald Barry?, Third International Conference on Music and Minimalism, Leuven, 12-15 October, 2011
Evangelia Rigaki, Singing the Unutterable: Extended vocal techniques for dramatic purposes in contemporary opera & music theatre, Song, Stage and Screen Conference, University of Winchester, September , 2010
Evangelia Rigaki, Constantine Cavafy, 'Exiles', Ostadetheater, Amsterdam, December, 2009, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Tutare, For 4 tabla players and 4 percussionists,', Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 2009, -
Evangelia Rigaki Words: Tamsin Collison, Director: John Lloyd Davies,, ''Professional Suicide'', Linbury Studio (Royal Opera House 2), January 2011, 2011, -
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N.Herbert, 'Lullabaloo', Riverside Studios, London,Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival, August 2010, 2010, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Poios Ekane Pipi sto Missisipi', Pais Opera Festival, Opera of Thessaloniki, Greece, 2008, -
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N.Herbert, 'Bumblepuppy', Tete a Tete Opera Festival London, 2008, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Darren Ellis, 'Tempt My Better Angel', The Place, London, 2007, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Lucilin Ensemble, Marcel Reuter, Abbaye de Neumünster, Composition Summer School 2015, 2015, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Evocation', String Trio written for Kirkos Ensemble, 2012, -
Evangelia Rigaki , 'The Dress I Wear', BBC Singers, 2007, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Music', Trinity College Chapel, cond. Jane Alden, 2016, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'String Quartet', Barbirolli Quartet, Cheltenham Festival, July , 2008, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Waterford New Music Week Composition Today , Composition Today, WIT College, 7 March , 2017, WIT College
Evangelia Rigaki, Constantine Cavafy, 'Antonius is Forsaken by His God', Manchester Cathedral, , John Armitage Memorial Concert (JAM), March , 2009, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Discussion with Sir Harrison Birtwistle & Evangelia Rigaki, 2014, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Dyarchia', Written for and priemered by Ensemble Amorpha, London, The Forge, March , 2010, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Departed', Michelle O'Rourke, Creative Lab, New Music Dublin Festival, 2012, -
Evangelia Rigaki, 'To Be Elsewhere', Avalon Ensemble, Hugh Lane Gallery Dublin , 2011, -
Evangelia Rigaki, Analysis and discussion of my recent compositions. , Music Department, University of Brunel, March 2016, 2016, Music Department University of Brunel
Evangelia Rigaki, Experimental Music Theatre, DIT College of Music, March 2015, 2015
Evangelia Rigaki, 'Exploring Notions of Theatricality in Music', UCD School of Music, 15 October, 2012
Evangelia Rigaki, Evangelia Rigaki discusses her recent compositions., Evangelia Rigaki discusses her recent compositions., Music Department University of Bristol, 15 March, 2011, Music Department, University of Bristol
Evangelia Rigaki, On Music and Collaboration, 17 February, 2010, Music Department, University of Sussex
Evangelia Rigaki, Lucilin Ensemble, Marcel Reuter, Abbaye de Neumünster, Composition Summer School 2015 , In:Composition Summer School 2015 , 2015, Abbaye de Neumünster
Evangelia Rigaki, W.N.Herbert, 'Ode to Debt', Crash Ensemble, Beckett Theatre, 2012, -
Research Expertise
Projects
- Title
- Monsieur Jean & Monsieur Jean
- Summary
- Object Music Theatre, Director Agnes Limbos, Lucilin Ensemble
- Funding Agency
- Rotondes, Luxembourg & Ministry of Culture, Luxembourg
- Date From
- September 2015
- Date To
- April 2015
- Title
- The Pregnant Box
- Summary
- Words by W.N. Herbert, after a text by Catherine Conlon Written for singer and flutist in a specially constructed confession box and a wandering choir.
- Funding Agency
- Research Night TCD & Long Room Hub
- Date To
- September 2014
- Title
- AntiMidas, or, Bankers in Hades
- Summary
- Words: W.N. Herbert, Director: John Lloyd Davies, Beckett Theatre, Dublin, December 2013
- Funding Agency
- Arts Council IE
- Date From
- 2012
- Date To
- December 2013
- Title
- 'Little Instruments of Apprehension'
- Summary
- Words: W.N. Herbert Choreography: Darren Ellis, First Performance: Riverside Studios, London, Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival, August 2009
- Date To
- 2009
- Title
- 'Tutare'
- Summary
- For 4 tabla players and 4 percussionists, First performance: Queen Elizabeth Hall, April 2009
- Date To
- 2009
- Title
- 'Hadith Al Rouh' (Dutch title: Gesprekken Van De Ziel)
- Summary
- Words: Sjaron Minailo (after the song 'Hadith Al Rouh' by Oum Kalthoum), Director: Sjaron Minailo, First Performance: Operadagen Rotterdam Festival, May 2009
- Date To
- 2009
- Title
- '...but only water'
- Summary
- For prepared percussion, premiered by Matthew Jenkins, Darmstadt Internation Summer Couse (IMD), Studio Concert, July 2008
- Date To
- 2008
Recognition
Awards and Honours
Irish National Opera Studio, Selected Composer for 2018 - 19
Commission by Cultural Ministry of Luxembourg for 'OTMEN'
Opera Project Award (Presentation), Arts Council IE
Opera Project Award (Development), Arts Council IE
Royal Opera House, Composition Residency (VOX 2)
Die Neuköllner Oper, Composition Residency (Open Forum Stipendiat)
Arts Council UK and SPNM Composition Residency for Researching Notation for Tabla (alongside other composers and percussionists)
ENMR (European Network for Musicological Research) Fellowship for post-doctoral research at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Britten-Pears Young Artist Composition Residency (New Music-New Media), Aldeburgh
Jerwood Opera Writing Programme, Composition Residency, Aldeburgh
Opera Writing Composition Residency, Aldeburgh
Memberships
Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland
Shortlisted Composer for Society for Promotion of New Music, UK (former named SPNM)