HEILIGENSTADT… another world inside

“Ah, it seemed to me impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me.” Heiligenstadt Testament, Ludwig van Beethoven, October 6, 1802: one of the most heartbreakingly poignant and personal, penned by a composer. Taking this as our fundamental inspiration and trying to get deep into the mind of a composer who is losing the one sense that should be more perfect than any others – his hearing – this interdisciplinary project reflects the essence of “isolation”, through sound, light, movement, internal emotion and word. What do we experience when we read this – perhaps even more particularly now, when we are all in “isolation”? Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the composer, we have explored different interpretations of isolation or solitude: Alone but not lonely; Alone within one’s thoughts; Alone and isolated; Alone and in despair; Cocooned within oneself; Alone in a crowd; Blank face; Deceived by hope; Another world inside; A journey to find oneself; Discovery? What does it evoke to you? Step inside an internal soundworld.  'Another world inside' explores the multitudes of internal sounds, blank silences, distant noise, and the essence of isolation in an interdisciplinary work inspired by Beethoven's Heiligenstadt Testament, together with the ghost of his raging Grosse Fuge, creating a new "space"…  Dr Michelle Castelletti, Artistic Director. Produced for The Three Palaces Festival. Special thanks to the Valletta Cultural Agency
 
Concept & Orchestral composition: Michelle Castelletti; Music Composition, Production & Sound Design: Renzo Spiteri; Choreography, Dramaturgy, Light Design and Costume; Design: Francesca Tranter; Dancer: Zoe Camilleri; Voice: Antony Edridge; Film Direction and Imagery: Emma Tranter; Film: Jean Paul Caruana

Inspiration: Ludwig van Beethoven and his Heiligenstadt Testament
MUSIC I. Within Without [R. Spiteri] II. You Wrong Me [R. Spiteri; Voice: A. Edridge] III. All in my head [Michelle Castelletti & R. Spiteri] IV. A Dark Sense [R. Spiteri]

November, 2020

SHIFT

Based on the concept of the Phoenix, “Shift” is a light installation commissioned by the Royal Northern College of Music. It takes RNCM's iconic brutalist staircase and transforms it with bold, moving colour, pattern and light, playing on the industrial feel of the structure, emphasising sharp lines, abrupt connections and dynamic interactions of motion. The piece is made of sweeping swells & crescendos, which then drop back to minimalism, using the idea of resurgence, resurrection and return to life.

Motion Design & Projection Mapping: Rebecca Smith Sound design: Jimmy Power
Projection: Lumen
Concept & Commission: Dr Michelle Castelletti (RNCM)

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