Think of Lotusland, and we conjure up inviting visions of the uniquely fascinating, expansive Montecito estate turned into a world-renowned horticultural wonderland by the late Madame Ganna Walska beginning in the 1940s and open for public tours since 1993. Occasionally, the Lotusland allure extends beyond the sheer splendor of strolling the multiple themed gardens on the property, with occasional art exhibitions and even more occasional musical events.
One of those rare musical/performance events, a concert in the pristine Japanese Garden, will take place on Friday, April 18. Music to Welcome Moons into Waves is, more specifically, described as “an immersive musical experience in the Japanese Garden.” The event was organized by Fabio Rambelli , UCSB Professor of Religious Studies & East Asian Cultures, who will also be one of the performers on hand and circumambulating around the garden.
Built around music composed for a quartet of traditional gagaku instruments by Daryl Jamieson for the ancient Japanese Imperial Court based idiom of gagaku, the event is more than just a concert. The performance takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the tranquil environment encircling a large pond, timed with the Japanese “Hour of the Monkey” and intended to be heard, as has been explained, “in dialogue with the sounds of birds, waters, insects, commuters, and winds as they ready themselves for nightfall.”