Piece for 1 perfomer
Duration: 50min
Premiered on 15th September 2015 at Nasjonal jazzscene
Part of Ultima Contemporary Music Festival – Oslo, Norway
Vocalist: Elaine Mitchener
Music & libretto: David Toop – music & libretto
Film: Barry Lewis
Direction and choreography: Dam Van Huynh
Lighting: Antony Hateley
The idea for a semi-improvised opera was borne during Elaine Mitchener’s artist residency in Venice under the auspices of Fondazione Claudio Buziol and Muziektheater Transparant in 2010.
Of Leonardo da Vinci is the fruit of that residency, a collaboration between improv legend, sound artist and author David Toop, respected vocalist/improviser Elaine Mitchener, acclaimed photographer/film maker Barry Lewis, and making his operatic directorial debut, Dam Van Huynh.
Together they have created a contemporary opera that intricately melds music, sound art, image and movement to explore space, inviting audiences into a unique and intimate realm of disturbing beauty.
Commissioned by Ultima Festival.
Original concept supported by Fondazione Claudio Buziol– Venice, Muziektheater Transparant – Antwerp in collaboration with Teatro Fondamenta Nuove – Venice.
Elaine Mitchener – Vocalist
www.elainemitchener.com
David Toop – Composer
www.davidtoopblog.com
Barry Lewis – Film
www.barrylewisphotography.com
Previous dates:
15 September 2015 – ULTIMA Festival – Oslo, Norway
26 October 2016 – SPILL Festival of Performance – Ipswich
10 November 2017 – Sound Festival – Aberdeen
4 September 2018 – Purcell Room, Southbank Centre – London
30 March 2019 – Korzo Theatre, Rewire Festival, The Hague – The Netherlands
19 October 2019 – Teatro San Giorgio, FORMA Festival – Udine, Italy