Four women, known as Medusa, enter from stage left (or rather, left field) to redefine classical music. Medusa's inspired blend of Celtic, Middle Eastern, Pakistani and European influences is unravelling the velvet rope that can keep classical music precious. The members of Medusa (Saskia Tomkins, Marta Sołek, Lea Kirstein and Georgia Hathaway) wield an impressive array of instruments that include the Swedish keyharp, suka or vertical fiddle, six-string Polish fiddle, lyra or pear-shaped three-stringed Greek violin, viola and cello. They update the archaic with personal histories that run counter to the easy lives of people who enjoy the highest levels of wealth, power, fame and social status. Medusa's music and philosophy is radically inclusive, so please leave any racism, sexism, anti-queerness or anti-anything-ism outside the door. Named after the only mortal of the three powerful Greek Gorgons (monstrous sisters), a queen who could unalive anyone who stared too long at her mesmerizing, hissing head of snakes, Medusa invites listeners to be fearless but open-minded. Come closer, close your eyes and hear the beauty.

-Chantal Vitalis