Mortalities, København/Aarhus 2023
The virtual reality opera MORTALITIES is a new opera format. Four guests are let in at a time for this exclusive experience which is both physical and virtual. After an entering ritual you physically walk around in a big live installation where a multisensorial death opera is taking place.
Inspired by necroaesthetic aspects of death, the artistic team has developed six versions of death which you get to try. You travel through the cold, the heavy, the dirty, the distorted and get close to the full decomposition – before life rises from the ashes again.
The libretto by Ursula Andkjær Olsen is musically composed by SØS Gunver Ryberg giving the opera singers’ voices a new expression in an electronic universe. The visual expression is created by Ninna Steen. In corporation with MANND and Quad Studio she unites the physical world with the virtual universe. The concept is created and initiated by Rebekka Bohse Meyer who wishes to explore the potential of virtual reality in opera in Denmark with MORTALITIES.
MORTALITIES is produced by Jakobe Performing Arts in co-production with Sort/Hvid and Copenhagen Opera Festival.
Sort/Hvid
14.08.2023 – 21.08.2023
Aarhus Musikhus
19.09.2023 – 23.09.2023
55 minutes without interval
4 audiences per performance
The audience walks, stands and sits – and the performance is in VR.
Age limit is 13 years old
Sung in English
CAST & CREW
Concept & Artistic Director: Rebekka Sofie Bohse Meyer
Composition of Electronic Music, Choir & Voices: SØS Gunver Ryberg
Visual Artist / Design of Environment and Characters: Ninna Steen
Libretto: Ursula Andkjær Olsen
Animation & Choreography: Ninna Steen
VR Development: MANND
VR Producer: Maria Herholdt Engermann
VR Lead Technician: Jeppe Jost Etzerodt
3D Modelling & 3D Animation: Quad Studio
Audio Implementation & Sound Effects: Frederik La Cour
Shader Artist: Bastian Leonhardt Strube
Vocal Recording Engineer: Oliver Matthew Volz
Text Consultants: Katrine Jensen, Orien Longo
Mask Design & Production: Trine Thulstrup
Stage Managing: Signe Thornberg
Props: Niels Lau Nielsen
Communications and SoMe intern: Emilie Marie Pedersen
Producer: Lars Vind-Andersen
Production Company: Jakobe Performing Arts
Co-Production: Sort/Hvid, Copenhagen Opera Festival
SINGERS
Solos composed through improvisation with the singers
Live singers: Anne-Kristine Skov Andersen, Katinka Marie Frida Bohse Meyer and Kirsten Voss
Singers VR: Anne-Kristine Skov Andersen, Kirsten Voss, Stephen Yeseta, Mathias Monrad Møller, Mikkel Tuxen
THANKS TO
Mikkel Krause Frantzen, Jakob Matzen, Tine Meyer, Sofie Mietke, niimblr, MixR lab, ArtFreq Studio, Pavillion K, Jeremy Payne-Frank og Mika Yunus Berger Şahbaz.
SUPPORT
Statens Kunstfond, Bikubenfonden, Augustinus Fonden, William Demant Fonden, Wilhelm Hansen Fonden, Dansk Komponistforening, Dansk Skuespillerforbund and Dansk Solistforbund.
MORTALITIES grants you access to the underworld. The companion of Death takes you by the hand, and carefully you step out onto a long, creaking bridge and walk to the other side.
