As the set is brought in, sweet operatic tones can be heard around the Wharf as the cast rehearse for their forthcoming shows.
Even on a snowy Monday morning, the buzz is tangible as Silent Opera prepare to bring audiences closer to the action than ever before.
This intense experience brings together theatre, technology and classical music. Audiences are provided with wireless headphones, which deliver an all encompassing sound world directly into their head: bringing together live singing and select instrumentalists, mixed with a pre–recorded full orchestra, revealing every breath, nuance and emotion of the operatic narrative. It then allows audiences to move freely through the performance space, following the story and creating their own personal theatre, by choosing how to experience Monteverdi’s masterpiece.
As the audience follows Orfeo’s journey, they will be completely immersed in their surroundings, becoming an integral part of the story, with one audience member being awarded the responsibility of deciding between the two endings written by the composer and Orfeo’s ultimate fate: Death or Glory. Will he be ravaged and taken to his death, or made a God to look on Eurydice forever?
Artistic Director and Founder of Silent Opera, Daisy Evans, has already staged Dido and Aeneas with the Old Vic New Voices in 2011, and La Bohème the following year with a full symphony orchestra, working with Designer Kat Heath, Music Director Christopher Bucknall and Composer Louis d’Heudieres. For L’Orfeo Louis d’Heudieres has composed a new sound world for the entire opera’s ambience, as well as a full new aural ending to the show.
L'Orfeo is being shown at the Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf from the 23rd January to 10th February 2013.
For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.silentopera.com or to see what else is coming to Trinity Buoy Wharf visit www.trinitybuoywharf.com
To donate to Silent Opera, visit www.bitly.com/silentopera
All Silent Opera productions have been produced by the Heritage Arts Company.
Silent Opera is kindly supported by the Sky Arts Fund, Arts Council England, Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, Ideas Tap, PW Productions Limited, Blitz Communications and WildKat PR.