Giordano Bruno Comes to Dublin in Roger Doyle's Electronic Opera HERESY

"Heresy" is the world premiere and first opera by renowned Irish composer, Roger Doyle. Mr. Doyle, considered "The Godfather of Irish Electronic Music," speaks of his vast body of compositions as "a celebration of the multiplicity of musical languages and evolving technologies."

Based in Dublin, META PRODUCTIONS was founded in 2013 by Roger Doyle & Eric Fraad. It is committed to exploring new forms of opera for the 21st century & creating works that live within the best traditions of opera & reformulating these in innovative & unique ways.

META PRODUCTIONS has assembled a dazzling team of artists for this unique operatic extravaganza: libretto by playwright and dramaturg, Jocelyn Clarke and world renowned American director Eric Fraad, with sets and costumes by internationally acclaimed Austrian Bruno Schwengl, and lighting design by the Abbey Theatre's Kevin McFadden.

The ensemble cast features Morgan Crowley (tenor / counter tenor), Caitriona O'Leary (mezzo soprano), Daire Halpin (soprano), Robert Crowe (male soprano), Aengus Gilligan (boy soprano). These early and contemporary music specialists each undertake a diversity of roles during the performance.

For anyone who dares to voice dangerous ideas and risk imprisonment or exile, Giordano Bruno remains a hero and a martyr for free speech and the right to challenge dogma and orthodoxy. Giordano Bruno (called The Nolan), originally named Filippo Bruno, (born 1548, Nola, near Naples-burned at the stake February 17, 1600, in the Campo dei Fiori, Rome) was an Italian renaissance philosopher, priest, professor, playwright and occultist whose theories anticipated modern science. His writings prefigured quantum theory by 350 years and influenced numerous works by Shakespeare, Molière and James Joyce for whom Bruno remained a lifelong hero.

"Heresy" focuses on episodes from Bruno's life and features fantastic scenes that allow for great theatricality and emotional effect. Scenes are presented in which Bruno demonstrates his system of magic memory before the court of Henry III of France, confidential conversations with Elizabeth I of England and her spymaster Sir Francis Wallsingham, expositions of his trials in Rome and Venice before the inquisition, fragments of his outrageous play, Il Candelaio, a dramatic reverie in his cell the night before he is burned at the stake for heresy and scenes that time travel to the present day and beyond as he trail blazes amongst the deities in the cosmos and predicts the future. Throughout this operatic adventure Mr. Doyle's electronic score complements this scorching story by incorporating many qualities of a traditional orchestra while providing far-reaching dramatic and musical possibilities that go beyond normative operatic instrumentation.

IF YOU GO:

Dublin Based META PRODUCTIONS

World Premiere of "Heresy"
An Electronic Opera
By Roger Doyle Examining The Life, Works and Death of Giordano Bruno, 16th Century Italian Heretic, Philosopher, Playwright, Spy And Renaissance Superstar

"Heresy" will be presented as part of Project 50, a season of innovative work celebrating 50 years of Dublin's Project Arts Centre.

Performances: 7:30 PM - 28th October (Preview), 29th October, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th November

Tickets: €25/€18 Concession

Box Office: +353 1 881 9613

Project Arts Centre: 36 East Essex Street Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland

The opera is made possible through a generous award from the Arts Council of Ireland, and the sponsorship of RTÉ. "Heresy" will be broadcast live on RTÉ Lyric fm.

For more, visit WWW.METAPRODUCTIONS.IE.

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