December was busy with presentations on my musical research: a three-day residency at the New Musical Aesthetics conference at the Conservatorio Alessandro Scarlatti, alongside composer Vito Zuraj and musicologist Gianluigi Mattietti, and the three-day Improtech conference at IRCAM, where I spoke about composition and improvisation in contemporary opera with researcher Jean-Louis Giavitto and RIM Augustin Muller. You can learn more here.
A new production of Like Flesh premiered last month at Interfinity Festival. Staged by Dominique Pitoiset with original video design by Luca Scarzella, this production highlighted the scientific research that went into the writing of the libretto, created for this occasion in collaboration with biologists, botanists, environmental scientists, and urban ecologists at ETH Zurich, University of Basel, and NCCR Microbiomes. The press called it “subtle, refined, compelling… a forest brought to life!” (zbb Basel). Watch a feature on Telebasel here.
I am thrilled to announce that this Fall I joined the faculty of the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo as Professor of Music Composition, where I am mentoring students in the bachelors, masters, and PhD programs. More info about the program here.
After three intense years of work, The Nine Jewelled Deer was born last month at LUMA Arles, then travelled to Théâtre du Jeu de Paume as part of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. The press are calling it “Deeply affecting” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung), “refined and cathartic” (Opera Wire), “mysterious and spellbinding…. Goes straight to the heart” (Le Monde), “Intense and enriching… a mastermind collaborative project” (Opera Today), “moving, immersive” (backtrack), “breathtaking” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), “Pure enchantment” (d'Lëtzebuerger Land), “A rare and powerful convergence of music, myth, and visual art” (Hube). See HERE for more reviews, videos and photos.
The book-CD of Like Flesh is out, and so are the reviews. Chosen as Album of the Week by Le Monde, Pierre Gervasoni writes: “Like Flesh is an opera of contemporary resonance without equivalent since the beginning of the 21st century”. The book (EN/FR) features newly-commissioned articles and interviews, the full libretto, and a newly mixed surround sound recording. It is available for purchase here, and on all streaming platforms. Check out this trailer and interview for more info.
Next month, The Nine Jewelled Deer will have its world premiere at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. I invite you to read some of the articles in Le Monde, The New York Times, Opéra Magazine, and Beaux Arts Magazine about the inspiration for the opera, the work-process, and more.
I’m very glad to be joining the composition roster of Karsten Witt Music Management. More info here.
When I composed the closing chorus of Like Flesh, which speaks of nature’s death and resurrection, I imagined it being sung by children. Director Maëlle Dequiedt made that dream come true in her latest production for Antwerp Opera: An Empty House, pairing choruses from Like Flesh with Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. You can watch the trailer or buy ticket here.
