The Church of Santa Maria della Pietà in the Vatican will host the world premiere of Blood&Breath on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM (with a dress rehearsal for industry professionals on October 18 at the same time). This event marks the third immersive multimedia production of Frequency Opera, created by the renowned multimedia artist Honora Foà. It is an exceptional event that explores through music, imagery, and storytelling the legend of Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea during the period of solitude they experienced while retreating into the caves of southern France after the death of their Master.
Blood&Breath is part of a cycle of seven works titled RecombinantDNA, a unique series of performances that combine art and science, myth and technology, to explore different frequency spectrums through these two lenses. Foà, with her extensive experience in multimedia art, is recognized for her ability to unite different languages into experiences that resonate deeply with human sensitivity. In Blood&Breath, solitude becomes a condition through which Mary Magdalene undergoes a profound inner transformation. Reflection and gratitude for nature are the central theme and one of the fundamental messages of this work.
The music for the opera was composed by Lucas Richman, a musician known for his emotional and intellectual sensitivity in addressing themes related to the human condition. In this cantata, he sought to explore, through deeply evocative musical language, themes such as life, death, and spirituality. His delicate yet intensely dramatic musical writing aims to highlight the capacity of art to connect with the most intense moments of our existence, combining poetic texts with the essence of subjects like sacrifice, hope, the fragility of life, and the redemption of humanity.
Accompanying this powerful narrative, both sound and visual, will be an orchestral ensemble of eight members conducted by Richman himself. Maestro Lucas Richman will lead the “Soloists of the Orchestra of Rome,” coordinated by Antonio Pellegrino, on a unique multisensory journey.
Interspersed with orchestral moments will be the voices of two lyrical soloists: mezzo-soprano Joelle Morris, whose warm, velvety vocal color will provide a poignant counterpoint to the emotional fabric of the opera, and baritone Isaac Bray, known for his warm and powerful timbre capable of infusing dramatic roles with an authoritative and intense presence.
The musical performances will alternate with vocal readings of poetic texts featuring actors Stefania Rocca and Amedeo Fago, whose respective interpretative versatility and intense stage presence promise to engage the audience in a profound and spiritual reflection.
Finally, the set design will feature numerous works created by renowned American painter Margot McLean. Her art is characterized by an intense and symbolic use of natural forms, particularly animals, which often serve as a mirror to explore complex human emotions. Her work for Blood&Breath fits perfectly into a context that intertwines legend, science, and nature, offering an intimate and dreamlike vision of the relationship between humanity and the environment.
The event is supported by the non-profit organization Mythic Imagination Company.
For more information, visit the official website:
www.FrequencyOpera.org