The Sirenot (Sirens) Ensemble was formed in 2000 by Shosh Lagil and she has conducted it ever since.
The relatively small number of singers and the diverse repertoire allow Lagil to maintain every member’s unique voice. Movement and acting have also become part of the artistic interpretation. Lagil encourages personal involvement on every singer’s part whilst developing the ensemble into a “polyphonic entity” so that it finally becomes a potent inner force, a rich combination of true diversity and vitality.
The outstanding repertoire characterizing the Sirenot Ensemble is an example of how relevant music has become today. It is an inseparable part of the vivid, sizzling culture in Israel. The ensemble’s programme “You have Turned My Eulogy into Dance” involves verse from the holy Jewish scripture especially composed for the ensemble. “Hanoch Levin – The Concert” is where theatre meets the classical world, accompanied by music taken from H. Levin’s plays and rearranged for the ensemble in a fascinating manner. Monteverdi, Brahms, Schubert, Elgar, Debussy and even Edith Piaf were not forgotten.
The finest Israeli composers continue their ongoing dialogue with the ensemble, writing especially for its performances. J. Bardanashvili, P. Eliyahu, E. Bat, A. Poznansky and Y. Ben Nun are just a few of the composers who collaborated with the ensemble. Shosh Lagil values Israeli art and its creativity is of the utmost importance to her. The Ensemble allows the rich and diverse Israeli artwork a well deserved place on stage, exposing it to audiences in Israel and abroad.
The Sirenot Ensemble has performed in festivals and concerts in Israel as well as throughout the world, achieving enthusiastic critique and resounding response. The ensemble received invitations for future performances. Warm, friendly musical relationships have also been formed.
The Ensemble and its conductor have recently been awarded the Minister of Culture’s Odon Pártos Award for best performance of an Israeli work of art. The award-winning piece composed by Josef Bardanashvili and commissioned especially by the ensemble is entitled: “And the Notebook is Still Open”. It is based upon verse from the Book of Proverbs and cites Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers). The dramatic scene on stage is a protest against the moral decay and decline in our society today.
The Sirenot Ensemble released its first CD, supported by the Zfunot Tarbut NGO (for art and artists in Israel). The ensemble is also supported by the Culture Department within the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, Mifaal Hapais and the Raanana Municipal Authority.