The Newport Classical Music Festival will present the New England premiere of “Goddess//Insect,” a new work co-commissioned from JUNO Award-winning composer Vivian Fung, on Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. at The Breakers.
The piece is written for violinist Kristin Lee, praised in The Strad for her “elegance” and “electric energy,” and the GRAMMY-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion. It was co-commissioned by a national consortium of presenters that includes Newport Classical, Emerald City Music, Music@Menlo, Constellations Chamber Concerts and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The program at The Breakers, which explores the dialogue between violin and percussion, also features music by composers Gabriella Smith and Joan Tower.
“‘Goddess//Insect’ is derived from the term ‘God-Bug Syndrome’ where a ‘god complex’ acts as a defense against deep-seated feelings of worthlessness,” Fung said. “I believe our world right now is facing these conflicting emotions and so this work is ultimately a work that reflects our turbulent and chaotic times.”
Fung said the piece opens with a theatrical “Arachnid Procession,” with most of the performers dispersed throughout the hall before gradually walking toward the stage. “All performers embody an otherworldly sound,” she said, describing the effect as “a surround sound experience without the need for a sound system.”
Lee said the project had been in the works for several years and celebrates an underrepresented pairing in the repertoire. “This piece is a celebration of an instrumentation with enormous potential — the combination of percussion quartet and violin,” she said. “By sharing works by Vivian and Joan, I hope this project will inspire others to expand the possibilities for this instrumentation and help bring its powerful impact to a wider audience.”
Victor Caccese of Sandbox Percussion said the collaboration offers a chance to expand the chamber music repertoire. “Vivian’s music is endlessly creative, drawing on long-standing musical traditions while blending them with fresh, contemporary ideas,” he said. “Her work opens up a rich and expressive space for these instruments together.”
The commission reflects Newport Classical’s broader effort to support new work. Since 2021, the organization has commissioned a new piece each year by a Black, Indigenous, person of color or woman composer, having previously presented world premieres of works by Stacy Garrop, Shawn Okpebholo, Curtis Stewart, Clarice Assad and Cris Derksen.
The July 9 premiere is part of the Newport Classical Music Festival, which runs from July 2 to 19 and features 30 concerts across 11 venues, from cliffside lawns to gilded mansions. Founded in 1969, Newport Classical is the most active year-round presenter of live performing arts on Aquidneck Island. Tickets and information are available at newportclassical.org/music-festival.
