In this video, Hannah Nepilova interviews opera director Rachael Hewer about VOPERA, her virtual opera project, which is putting on a digital production of Maurice Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on November 16.
VOPERA, founded and directed by Rachael Hewer, is a one of a kind project involving over 135 freelance creatives. Musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra collaborated with Zoom-auditioned singers to create a virtual performance of Maurice Ravel’s one act opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.
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This work tells the story of a cross child, who after being punished, takes her frustration out on the objects around her. The household objects then spring to life to torment the child. Ravel’s playful score mirrors the fable-like plot, and in this digital creation it is enhanced through the use of hand-drawn costumes and sets.
Once each vocal part was individually recorded, a handmade green screen was used to project animated backdrops and costumes on to body double actors.
This is part of a series of videos in which we interview artists who are doing interesting things during lockdown.
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