Magical Meetings
Using the wonders of Harry Potteresque magic to move through time and space, we are transported to the epoch of Virgil’s Aeneid by way of the extraordinary sound world that flourished in late seventeenth-century England.
En route we encounter the struggle between good and evil, and learn to cope with the difficulties of distinguishing between them, always aware that the conflict between light and dark is internal as well as external: that it takes place inside us as well as all around. Focused on the tragic herione, the story of Dido and Aeneas as told in Purcell’s opera, offers a profound insight into the heart of an exceptionally complex human being who is simply unable to deal with the conflicting pulls of the heart.
As the chorus sings when Dido’s fate is sealed: ‘Great minds against themselves conspire / And shun the cure they most desire.’ Approaching Dido via Potter, we locate the operatic narrative in a familiar mythical context and so close the gap between the world of Purcell’s Dido and our own. Each tale sheds light on the other, and with a consequent redoubling of cathartic power, we return to the workaday world doubly refreshed.
Remember me, but ah! forget my fate. — Dido from Dido and Aeneas
Mezzosoprano Luciana Mancini was born in Sweden, but has Chilean roots. She received her bachelor degree in Classical Singing and Early Music Performance Practice from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in Holland, where she subsequently joined the Opera Studio. In 2009 she received her Master’s degree, writing a thesis on Italian monodies of the 1600s.
Luciana has sung under conductors including René Jacobs, Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Enrico Onofri, Pablo Heras-Casado, Neeme Järvi and Juanjo Mena; she has also collaborated with numerous ensembles, notably L’Arpeggiata, La Fenice, Lautten Compagney, Divino Sospiro, Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla, Ensemble Matthäus, and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, singing at venues including the Staatsoper Berlin, Theater an der Wien, Drottningholm Palace Theatre, Carnegie Hall, the Opera Comique and the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth. Luciana has worked with stage directors such as Benjamin Lazar, Sigrid T’Hooft, Pablo Maritano, Achim Freyer, and with the choreographer Sasha Waltz.
Hugo has a rare ability to convey a profound understanding of the music and shed light on its spiritual intent.
— Arvo Pärt
It is very clear that Ticciati is one of tomorrow’s truly great musicians.
— Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin
As violinist, leader and conductor, Hugo Ticciati imbibes all possible forms of creativity, whether it be performing world premieres in the most prestigious venues around the world, improvising with monks in India, or devising innovative programmes for O/Modernt Orchestra and Festival which he founded in 2011. Alongside his passion to discover and learn from the music of previous epochs and non-western traditions, Hugo embraces the world of contemporary music. To date, over forty works have been written for and dedicated to him by a host of eminent composers, including Erkki-Sven Tüür, Pēteris Vasks, Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Albert Schnelzer and Dobrinka Tabakova.
As the Artistic Director of his own O/Modernt Orchestra, and Artistic Partner with Manchester Camerata, Hugo collaborates regularly with Kremerata Baltica, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra da Camera di Perugia. Most recently, he has been invited to work with Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra and Vienna Chamber Orchestra.
Gaining a growing reputation for his innovative and adventurous programming, Hugo is frequently asked to devise and present concerts and festivals with a unique twist. This has led to ongoing collaborations with Wigmore Hall and Kings Place in London. Pursuing his passion for chamber music, Hugo has developed special artistic partnerships with members of the O/Modernt Soloists as well as other internationally renowned artists, notably Evelyn Glennie, Anne Sofie von Otter, Nils Landgren, Steven Isserlis, Angela Hewitt and Olli Mustonen.
Hugo frequently gives master-classes and lectures on music-related subjects both at Scandinavia’s leading specialist music school Lilla Akademien, where he holds the post of Deputy Artistic Director, and other educational institutions around the world.
The chamber orchestra O/Modernt leads the way.
— Berliner Morgenpost
Ticciati so clearly led his fellow strings to draw even more from them with an infinite variety of dynamics.
— The Arts Desk
Directed by violinist Hugo Ticciati, the O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra is an integral part of O/Modernt. Comprised of top young players from all over Europe, the orchestra performs eclectic and adventurous programmes, with anything from arrangements of medieval motets to Bach, Webern and Metallica. The orchestra regularly collaborates with world-renowned soloists such as Evelyn Glennie, Steven Isserlis, Anne Sofie von Otter and Nils Landgren, as well as jazz artists, rappers, choreographers, rock-balancers and more.
Although only a few years old, the orchestra has gained an international reputation, with performances at the Wigmore Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, Wiener Musikverein and Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam. The O/Modernt players enjoy a wide range of outreach and educational projects in Sweden, the UK and further afield in India.
For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable.
— The Times
Under the direction of Nigel Short, Tenebrae has twice secured the award for Best Choral Performance in the BBC Music Magazine Awards (2012 and 2016), and its recording of Fauré’s Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra was nominated for the Gramophone Awards (2013). In 2018 Music of the Spheres, Tenebrae’s album of part songs from the British Isles, received a Grammy nomination. Tenebrae is renowned for its highly-acclaimed interpretations of choral music ranging from the Renaissance through to contemporary choral masterpieces, and has appeared at major festivals and venues.
VOCES8 are the Rolls-Royce of British a cappella ensembles
— The Art Desk
Touring globally, VOCES8 performs an extensive repertory both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading orchestras, conductors and soloists. Versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression are central to the ensemble’s performance and education ethos. With an on-going programme of recordings, videos and live broadcasts, VOCES8 is heard regularly on albums, international television and radio, as well as maintaining a vibrant web performance presence.
-interspersed with-
John Williams Selections from Harry Potter film music (arr. Michael Story)
Henry Purcell Fantasia upon One Note Z 745
Erkki-Sven Tüür Action – Passion
György Ligeti Passacaglia ungherese
Sting Shape of My Heart
Muse ‘Redemption’ from Symphony Exogenesis
The programme can be complemented with dance elements, light design and offered in a concert, semi-staged or fully staged version.
