CONFESSIONS Spatial Opera in the Dark


Photo: Jurgis Sakalauskas

Concept & Composition: Rūta Vitkauskaitė, Jens Hedman, Åsa Nordgren
Performers: Åsa Nordgren (soprano, soundobjects), Rūta Vitkauskaitė (violin, soundobjects), Jens Hedman (electronics, soundobjects)
Producer: OPEROMANIJA

The opera creators group – Jens, Åsa and Rūta met at the 2010 New Music Incubator project in Latvia, and they were united by one goal – to create a spatial opera in the dark, especially expanding the possibilities of the acoustic surroundings. The work was inspired by their interest in spatial electronics, in particular by spatial acoustic sound and its impact on imagination. The Christian idea of the seven deadly sins lies at the basis of the libretto.

The seven parts of the “Confessions” are concerned with the seven cardinal sins – lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride. The “Confessions” unites the authors' long-cherished ideas of creative experiments: performing music in the dark, involving other senses (smell, touch) and allegedly completely removing the visual aspect. However in the opera, the latter is really the most activated factor in the listener's imagination – through abstract audio images and concrete pre-recorded sounds that produce strong images linked to feelings, sensations or objects.

In 2016 opera “Confessions” awarded Lithuanian Professional Theatre Award Golden Stage Cross for the best music and Lithuanian Composer’s Union’s prize Musical Nail of The Year. Opera is touring in Lithuania, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.


Photo: Monika Krajka

How far can our imagination take us? What images are formed in our consciousness when it is irritated by the outer world? And what are those irritants that produce similar states, sensations or images? And does our imagination really become one collective imagination when we take part in a common event? In order to share and study this phenomenon as well as simply to have a good time, we produced this spatial opera "Confessions".
Rūta Vitkauskaitė

The "Confessions" focuses on other senses than seeing - the essential sense is hearing; much attention is also given to touch and smell.
The opera offers very personal experience: with your eyes covered you feel surrounded by music and caught up in the vortex of events. Music in the true sense of the word smacks you in the face. The performers move in the auditorium, sometimes just an inch or two away from your head.
Have you sinned today?
The conception of a sin changes with time.
Jens Hedman

An opera that relies on the corporation with your imagination. Lean back, close your eyes and take off with us on a journey to the voids inside.
Åsa Nordgren


Photo: Jurgis Sakalauskas

Instructions for spectators:
The spectators will sit blindfolded in the dark (blindfolds will be handed out before the performance). The sensations of the audience will be actively provoked. There is the only special “Pink chair” in the audience, it is free of charge, and the person who will win a competition will get it. The occupant of the seat will experience a set of extreme acoustic surroundings, smells, tastes and touches. Those who wish to get this seat need to make a sincere confession of one sin until May 21, 2017 on spatialopera@mail.com. The person will be contacted and he/she will have to sign a contract.

Premiere
April 17th, 2015, Vilnius, Lithuania

Duration
63’ (no intermission)

After-performance discussion and reception
After the performance, a meeting with the opera creative team will be held. You are welcome to ask questions and share your impressions.

Tickets
For admission we recommend a donation of 100 SEK (please find the Pink Box at the entrance or use Swish to +46761866029). As the performance is designed for 43 spectators only we kindly ask you to book the seat in advance – reserve it until May 21 on spatialopera@mail.com. You will get a confirmation.

Partners and supporters of the presentation
Lithuanian Culture Institute
Fylkingen
EMS Elektronmusikstudion

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Medlemsproduktion: Jens Hedman