Variant 6 and Andrew Lipke collaborate for “Kamala” world premiere

Andrew Lipke, Elizabeth Steiner, and Variant 6 rehearsing at Christ Church Neighborhood House | photo via artists’ Facebook

On Thursday, June 1, local vocal sextet Variant 6 will bring their second season to a close with the world premiere of “Kamala” at Christ Church Neighborhood House in Old City. “Kamala” is the group’s first commissioned piece and a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Lipke, who composed the music as an extension of his 2015 album Siddhartha. Along with the six vocalists, the performance will feature Philadelphia harpist Elizabeth Steiner.

Watch Lipke talk about Siddhartha’s relationship with Kamala below, followed by a video of Variant 6 performing Giacomo Carissimi’s “Jephte.” More information for the concert, which also features pieces by Joanne Metcalf, David Shapiro and more, can be found here.