BrancuSING: When Sculpture Becomes Melody
- RCI USA
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Printemps de la Francophonie 2026
About The Event
The Romanian Cultural Institute New York is proud to present a soiree of music and talk, which offers a new concept of musical experience. Performed by soprano Rodica Vică and pianist Angela Drăghicescu, with art historian Doïna Lemny as guest speaker, the event, entitled BrancuSING, proposes an unexpected encounter between music and visual arts, inspired by Constantin Brâncuși’s immortal legacy. Bringing together performance and narrative, the protagonists invite the audience into an immersive space where sculpture is reimagined through sound, revealing the poetic and philosophical dimensions of the great sculptor’s work.
The program brings together a diverse musical landscape, from the subtle irony and clarity of Erik Satie to the folkloric roots of Anton Pann, the cosmopolitan energy of George Gershwin, and the lyrical expressivity of Agustín Lara. Complementing these works are two song cycles for soprano and piano by composers Sabina Ulubeanu and Radu Mihalache, specially commissioned for the BrancuSING international tour and presented in their world premiere. Inspired by Brâncuși’s artistic vision, these new works explore the translation of sculptural form into musical expression, offering a contemporary reflection on the enduring relevance of his ideas.
The event is the last leg of the BrancuSING international tour organized by the InoMusicArt Association, with support from Romania`s Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN) and presented as part of the Printemps de la Francophonie (The Spring of Francophonie) cultural season, under the auspices of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in New York.
Program
Erik Satie — selected works
Anton Pann — selected works
George Gershwin — selected songs
Agustín Lara — selected songs
Sabina Ulubeanu — Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano (world premiere)
Radu Mihalache — Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano (world premiere)
Meet the Guests
Soprano Rodica Vică is one of the most versatile voices of her generation, with an international career spanning opera and concert stages across Europe and beyond. She made her debut at the Bucharest National Opera and has since developed a repertoire ranging from Baroque and bel canto to contemporary music. A laureate of numerous competitions, she has appeared in major venues including the Konzerthaus Berlin, Müpa Budapest, and Teatro La Fenice, collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors. Her work extends beyond performance into interdisciplinary projects exploring the relationship between music, cultural memory, and artistic identity.
Pianist Angela Drăghicescu is an internationally active performer and educator, recognized for her refined musicianship and dedication to chamber music. A Professor of Chamber Music at the University of Delaware and Associate Professor at The Juilliard School, she has performed extensively across Europe, North and South America, and has collaborated with leading artists of the international music scene. Her artistic profile is distinguished by a deep commitment to collaborative performance and to developing young musicians through teaching and mentorship.
Art historian Doina Lemny is one of the foremost international authorities on the work of Constantin Brâncuși. A former researcher at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, she has contributed significantly to the study, conservation, and interpretation of the Brâncuși collection. Through her curatorial work, publications, and collaborations with major cultural institutions, she has played a key role in shaping contemporary understanding of Brâncuși’s artistic legacy within the context of European modernism.
