by Suzanne Vanstone, Senior Communications Manager, Editorial at the Canadian Opera Company
Opera is already an art form that encompasses so much – music, poetry, dance, drama, storytelling. They all serve to complement each other and allow an audience to become fully immersed in the theatrical experience. So it is perfectly natural for opera to seek and absorb other aspects for enrichment. Video is one of these.
We have certainly experienced video effects in previous productions the COC has presented. From Atom Egoyan’s Salome (which we are remounting this spring) to our recent production of Love from Afar, video and video projections are no strangers to our opera audience. But they are often employed for short periods of time, or as a “still” projection, to enhance a certain set or scene. In Peter Sellars’ production of Tristan und Isolde, the video that renowned video artist Bill Viola has created, is integral to this production and runs for the entire length of the five-hour opera. The exquisite marriage of video, music and drama is seamless. The video becomes one with the stage and Viola’s use of primal elements of fire and water emotionally illustrate the lovers’ journey in a wholly spiritual and sensory way.
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Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / in Tristan und Isolde / comments (2) / permalink
Storified by CanadianOperaCompany· Wed, Feb 06 2013 12:43:04
Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / in Opera Appreciation / comments (0) / permalink
Unleash your inner romantic, travel back to 1930, or experience performances by renowned jazz and dance masters. This February, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - Stephen B. Hargreaves - Variations on 1930
American pianist, harpsichordist and conductor Stephen B. Hargreaves presents a colourful snapshot of the year 1930 with an eclectic program of piano music ranging from Copland's Piano Variations, Britten's Three Character Pieces, and Kodály's Dances of Marrosszék to Art Tatum's Tea for Two.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - 12 p.m. - Franz-Josef Selig - Love's Dark Shore
If you haven't had the chance to experience internationally acclaimed German bass Franz-Josef Selig's powerful performance as King Marke in the COC's current production of Tristan und Isolde, now is your opportunity to hear him explore the dark side of love in a rich and compelling program of lieder by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss. See him perform with WDR Sinfonienorchester in the video below!
Posted by Kristin McKinnon / in Free Concert Series / comments (0) / permalink
Sara Fulgoni in the COC production of Bluebeard's Castle. Photo: Michael Cooper © 2001