Singers and professional musicians, but also amateurs of all ages participate in a participatory proposal that takes the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, turned into an opera.
The project was commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Festival de Aix-en-Provence, who asked the composer Jonathan Dove for a contemporary creation that could be represented by a mixed cast, with professional singers and amateurs , and that will also leave room for young interpreters from the different countries where it will be represented. Because the assembly was born with the intention that it could have different staging in different countries and languages, with its own characteristics on each occasion. The musicians of the Jove Orquestra Nacional de Catalunya and the Choirs of the Orfeó Català are returning to the project in Barcelona, accompanied by three soloists and, also, numerous amateur singers who in the weeks prior to the performance have received prior preparation. In addition, young performers and a circus artist (Quim Giron, in the role of the Minotaur) will join the representation with the professional musicians.
All of them tell us a simple story: the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Minos, the king of Crete, has in his palace a labyrinth inside which lives a terrible monster, half man, half bull, which feeds on human flesh. And since Minos has defeated Athens in a battle, he claims that every year the city sends a group of young people to feed his monster. To put an end to the bloodthirsty demands of Minos, the young Teseo, an Athenian, joins the group of boys and girls destined to be victims of the monster. And as you enter the labyrinth you will find a way to kill the creature and save the life of your adventure companions.
A collective and participative opera creation that puts the professional and amateur world in contact and makes them participate in stage setting that has both artistic experience and human adventure.
A production of el Grec Festival de Barcelona and Fundació Orfeó Català - Palau de la Música Catalana.
In cooperation with Gran Teatre del Liceu.
All audiences show.
Music: Jonathan Dove Libreto: Alasdair Middleton Catalan translation: Marc Rosich Artistic direction, staging and choreography: Constanza Brnčić Musical direction: Simon Halsey
Musical interpretation: Orfeó Català (address: Simon Halsey, sub-direction: Pablo Larraz), Cor Jove de l'Orfeó Català (address: Esteve Nabona), Cor de Noies de l'Orfeó Català (address: Buia Reixach), Cor Infantil de l 'Orfeó Català (address: Glòria Coma), Cor de Mitjans de l'Orfeó Català (address: Glòria Fernàndez), Cor de Petits de l'Orfeó Català (address: Mercè Pí), Jove National Orchestra of Catalunya JONC (address: Manel Valdivieso), individual participants Soloists: Marc Sala (tenor), Gemma Coma-Alabert (mezzo-soprano) and a baritone to be confirmed Voiceover: Lluís Homar Interpretation: Quim Giron
Scenic space and lighting: cube.bz Costume design and characterization: Silvia Delagneau Sound design: Carlos Gómez Stage management assistant: Beatriz González Magadán Costume assistant: Adriana Parra Executive production on stage: Anabel Labrador Photography: Roman Rubert, Ricard Rios
