Output details

'La Cantatrice Chauve', opera in one act

In the opera La Cantatrice Chauve, I incorporated elements of ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ into my sonic world, thus bringing fresh radical theatrical values into new opera. I aimed to offer audiences a new overall theatrical/musical experience by building on the dramatic heritage of other composers e.g. György Ligeti (Aventures, Le Grand Macabre) and his mentor Iannis Xenakis (Oresteia).

La Cantatrice further extends the rules of ‘Total Theatre’ by utilising new electroacoustic elements (Stochos, OMAX programmes) as well as the performance environment itself, creating an atmospheric world through sound spatialisation (46 invisible speakers distributed around the theatre) as a part of the sonic structure. Instrumentation is decided with specific colours and timbral combinations in mind. The work’s final scene requires performers to use different toy instruments (acme whistles, kazoos etc). With these additional dimensions to dramaturgy, the music assists the audience in becoming an integral part of the performance, both visually and acoustically.

Introducing new interfaces for musical expression encourages a reconsideration of music itself. New musical interfaces not only contribute to new expressions, but also throw light on the essence of music and the drama. Having begun with the idea of play and anti-play in Eugene Ionesco's work, I created a new form of opera in one act, relying on an approach that involves music and anti-music, thus making a true opera buffa for the 21st century.

La Cantatrice Chauve was jointly commissioned by the Royal Opera House and the Genesis Foundation, and premiered during April-May 2009 in Paris at the Theatre Athenée. Vincent Renaud conducted L’Orchestre Lamoureux. Contrejours Productions released the work commercially on DVD in 2010. In May 2010 La Cantatrice received the Orphée d’Or at the Bastille Opera, for the best contemporary French opera. A revival production is expected in 2015 at Athenée Theatre in Paris.