Jo Quail (uk)

We’re honoured to have world-renowned cellist Jo Quail back on our stages, this time with her most ambitious project yet, Supplication! Composed by Jo Quail for Italian baritone Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari (LEF) Supplication is a three-song cycle exploring the interweave of space and breadth and time, with slow cadences and minimal harmonic movement. Jo Quail describes writing Supplication as an “intimate process”: 

“Supplication orchestration is very intimate, with just my cellos, Lef’s stunning baritone, and a fair bit of sound design - something I love to do, not often called for in my earlier albums. Lef was able to record in his own studio, and all my celli were recorded at home, in various rooms with alternative microphones to create the ensemble”.

Joined by Lef’s stunning vocals, Jo Quail’s intimate weavings expand towards new territories. Supplication is conceptual free-form; it is music as pure art form but also as a guide towards self-discovery and reflection. Lef’s echoes these feelings by describing this work as a “captivating blend of evocative melodies and emotionally charged orchestral structures. Her ability to create intricate and powerful soundscapes with her cello is truly inspiring, and left me deeply moved in the first place. The emotional and inspiring nature of her music created a perfect canvas for my vocals, resulting in one of my favourite collaborative works ever.” LEF’s contribution elevates the emotional grip of these tracks to exhilarating highs, gifting us a truly compelling experience.

Our relationship with Jo Quail spans many years and as many editions. The artist has graced our stages countless times, and this year will once again offer an unforgettable live show:

“When I perform a concert for Dunk! Festival I feel like I am coming home. I’ve been privileged to play for you on a few occasions; most recently as a guest of God Is An Astronaut in 2023. It is an honour to be invited again in May 2024, and for this concert I have curated a very special programme for you”.

To celebrate this special occasion, we invited Jo Quail and LEF to perform Supplication in full accompanied by a full orchestra! The Wilmink Project Orchestra and conductor Jos Pijnappel will join the composers on stage to bring this beautiful piece of art to live in the idillic setting of VIERNULVIER’s Theatherzaal, an Art Nouveau theatre hall embellished with gold leaf motifs, marble murals and a breath-taking stained-glass ceiling. Lose yourself in these gilded halls and immerse yourself into a truly majestic and unmissable performance at the next edition of the festival!

Jo Quail: Bandcamp • Facebook • Instagram

LEF: Bandcamp • Facebook • Instagram