Houston’s classical music community is poised for an extraordinary moment as DaCamera presents one of the most emotionally daring vocal masterpieces of the 20th century—Harawi (Chant d’amour et de mort / Song of Love and Death) by Olivier Messiaen—performed by Grammy Award–winning soprano Julia Bullock alongside her longtime collaborator, acclaimed pianist Conor Hanick.

 

The performance takes place Friday, January 30, at 8:00 PM, inside the luminous Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center (501 Texas Avenue, Downtown Houston), as part of DaCamera’s prestigious Claudia and David Hatcher Series. For Houston audiences, this concert represents a rare and resonant opportunity to experience Harawi live—an event as intellectually rich as it is emotionally overwhelming.

A Vocal Masterpiece of Love, Loss, and the Eternal

Messiaen’s Harawi is not simply a song cycle—it is a mythic journey. Composed in 1945 during the shadowed aftermath of World War II, the work draws inspiration from the Quechua culture of the Andes while exploring universal themes of passionate love, spiritual ecstasy, and inevitable death. Birdsong, jagged rhythms, lush harmonies, and surreal imagery collide, creating a soundscape that feels at once ancient and avant-garde.

For listeners, Harawi unfolds like a fever dream: stone idols loom, lovers whisper and cry out, monkeys chatter, dancers rattle ankle bells, and the music pivots effortlessly from jazzy wartime Parisian influences to imagined Andean folk traditions. Messiaen’s unmistakable harmonic language—radiant, dissonant, and otherworldly—casts a spell that lingers long after the final note fades.

Julia Bullock: A Voice Made for Harawi

Few artists today are as uniquely suited to Harawi as Julia Bullock. Celebrated for her critically acclaimed appearances at the Metropolitan Opera and revered for boundary-breaking recital work, Bullock brings not just vocal command but dramatic fearlessness to the stage. Her interpretations are immersive, emotional, and intellectually precise—qualities essential for navigating Messiaen’s demanding score.

National critics have taken notice:

“Julia Bullock gives an extraordinary performance of Messiaen’s song cycle. Her voice filled the hall and never wavered.” — OperaWire

“Bullock took a spectacular deep dive into this hour of agony and ecstasy… She made Harawi into a beauteous yet dark landmark of singing.” — Los Angeles Times

At the piano, Conor Hanick proves an equal partner—his virtuosic, razor-sharp playing illuminating Messiaen’s intricate rhythms and kaleidoscopic harmonies with clarity and urgency. Together, Bullock and Hanick form a musical partnership defined by trust, intensity, and shared artistic vision.

A Houston Night to Remember

Concerts like this don’t come around often. Harawi is rarely programmed, demanding not only exceptional performers but also an audience willing to lean in, listen deeply, and surrender to the music’s emotional extremes. DaCamera continues its legacy of bringing Houston world-class artistry that challenges, inspires, and expands the cultural imagination of the city.

The evening is generously sponsored by Nancy and Walter Bratic, whose support helps ensure Houston remains a destination for bold and meaningful musical experiences.

Event Details at a Glance

• What: Messiaen’s Harawi (Song of Love and Death)
• Who: Julia Bullock, soprano | Conor Hanick, piano
• When: Friday, January 30, 8:00 PM
• Where: Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002
• Tickets & Info: 713-524-5050 | boxoffice@dacamera.com
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For Houston Style Magazine readers who crave artistry with depth, drama, and daring, this performance promises an unforgettable encounter with love, loss, and the transcendent power of music. One night. One masterpiece. A song of love—and of death—that will echo in Houston long after the curtain falls.

More Dacamera information: www.Dacamera.com