Output details

How Like An Angel

This unusual project is a collaboration between I Fagiolini, C!RCA and UK cathedrals. It was originally a live show exploring our relationship to monumental sacred spaces built for a very different time. It was written by Yaron Lifschitz and me and performed to 15,000 people over two years. The DVD is a composite version of 2012 performances in Ely, Norwich and Gloucester cathedrals.

The project’s research aspect lies in the field of contemporary and experimental performance practice, specifically (continuing my group’s long tradition) exploring new ways to present vocal repertoire to provide a cumulatively greater emotional effect on the listener than performing the music in concert.

My developmental starting point was to find a variety of vocal music to allow the acrobats different textures/styles to work with. However circus and vocal music have fundamentally different energies: in music a linear development while in circus, a series of peak moments. This contradiction meant a reappraisal of both groups’ performing styles: the acrobats developed a more linear performance while our singing became highly energised by their work, which occasionally led to improvised sections in the show.

HLAA also examined how the interaction of music and circus might come together to articulate the space: the film can express this better than words.

One fascinating aspect of the production was the transformation through the physicality of the intended meaning of texted pieces into something else. The sung texts were not clear in such large spaces so the music became its character rather than a hermeneutic musical ‘explanation’ of the text. Part of me fought against this but the overwhelming audience response (through filmed interviews / discussing the show afterwards individually / at Q&A sessions) was of an extreme emotional connection with the music which we hadn’t had from the same pieces in straight concert.