Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival announces composer-in-residence

Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//) has announced the appointment of Lina Lapelytė as composer-in-residence for its 47th edition.

Joining in November for a 10-day programme, the Lithuanian artist’s residency is part of the festival’s partnership with the Lithuanian Culture Institute and Music Information Centre Lithuania, now in its third year.

Lapelytė said: ‘In 2006 when I moved to London, hcmf// was the name I kept hearing, my musician friends would all travel there to play or to listen. In 2024, to be the composer-in-residence in this extraordinary gathering of sounds and people feels somewhat bizarre yet extremely exciting – as I am still unlearning how to be a musician and I do not feel very comfortable with the term “composer”. The notion of contemporary music has been changing so much and I am glad to join the journey of hcmf// for the search of what it can become again.’

Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, Lapelytė’s performance-based practice is music-centric and engages with a range of genres including pop culture and opera, exploring themes of gender stereotypes and nostalgia.

Lapelytė’s opera with Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė and Vaiva Grainytė, Have a Good Day!, was awarded the Golden Stage Cross prize among others and its libretto has been translated into nine languages. The team also received the Golden Lion award for Sun and Sea (Marina) which represented Lithuania at the Venice Biennale of Art in 2019.

Hcmf// chief executive and artistic director Graham McKenzie said: ‘A mixed media artist, Lapelytė challenges notions of what is understood by the term ‘composer’ in today’s world. Her work in music and sound often begins in the mainstream – whether referencing pop culture, folk idioms, or opera – before subtly moving to the margins and beyond! Curated in partnership with Lapelytė, the selection of her works presented at hcmf// 2024 guide us through her artistic practice to date, and most importantly shine a light on her ability to connect to people across all backgrounds and cultures.’

The hcmf// is UK’s largest international festival of new music and contemporary art forms. This year, the festival runs from 15 to 24 November and will feature over 50 events including concerts, exhibitions and workshops.