'DIA TI MARIA' - NEW SINGLE RELEASE 25 September 2011

Bishi’s new single.‘Dia Ti Maria’ is an 8.5 minute choral piece; a song of loss, fortitude and self-realization.

Inspired by the Greek Orthodox liturgy, the 1st and last sections are written in Koine (Biblical) Greek. The English lyrics are quotes from Milton’s Paradise lost.

Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus the US debut grabbed the front page of the New York Times who announced Bishi as the ‘New British Diva’.

Bishi sings all 50 voices on the recording…

‘I chose to sing all the parts because, for me, the piece is about light and darkness within ones own mind and self’

Rich harmonic writing develops from the clusters of Bulgarian throat singing to the more open, pastoral harmonies of English folk. The atmosphere moves from despair to realization and resolve.

Vocal techniques suggestive of Ligeti and Meredith Monk can be heard in the occasional slides and ‘asides’ to give a sense of melodic fluidity to the musical landscape.

The live presentation is an immersive video performance with Bishi center screen surrounded by projected images of herself. Halos and choirs, inspired by Byzantine icons, radiate around her while the costumes and stage design owe much to Lempika, Erte and the cinematic choreography of Busby Berkeley.

This release once again shows Bishi is one of the most inventive and unpredictable recording Artists in the UK today. In a musical landscape that can often seem dull and oppressive she offers an original and exciting ray of hope.

Credits:
Photo by Dominic Harris
http://www.dominicharris.co.uk/

Projections by Noriko Okaku
http://www.norioka.net/

Head Piece by Christian Landon:
http://www.christianlandon.com/

Make up by Maria Papadopolou:
http://mariasmakeup.com/

Nun’s Cowell by Sybil Rouge

For the launch of the single, Bishi will be performing an exclusive show in a private cinema in London this November.
Please stay tuned for more info on this exciting event.