Aveline Kirana
Nwando Ebizie’s new opera, "Ecstasy of the Virtues," is set to captivate audiences with its world premiere at Mahogany Opera in London on September 25th. This ambitious production reimagines the 12th-century spiritual music drama "Ordo Virtutum" by the visionary abbess Hildegard von Bingen, transplanting its allegorical figures into the complex landscape of the 21st century. The opera promises a multi-faceted artistic experience, weaving together singing, instrumental music, dance, multisensory ritual, and immersive projections.
The production features a diverse ensemble of twelve performers, highlighting the inclusion of Deaf performance artist Chisato Minamimura, composer and vocalist Laura Bowler, and other notable artists including Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian, Grace Nyandoro, Sara Amini, and Yfat Soul Zisso. The chorus comprises Chisara Agor, Jaydn Arriola Bagayas, Yu Chinen, Michelle Cornelius, Felicia Jackson, and Maria da Luz. Ebizie herself, a composer and lead artist, is at the helm as director, bringing her distinctive artistic vision to this ambitious undertaking. The opera is scheduled to run for 90 minutes and will incorporate theatrical British Sign Language and innovative creative captions, ensuring a rich and accessible experience for all attendees.
The journey of "Ecstasy of the Virtues" to its world premiere has been a significant one, with Mahogany Opera providing crucial support since 2020. This support began with the opera’s inclusion in the Various Stages Festival, followed by a co-produced installation at East Street Arts in 2021. A full commission materialized in 2022, underscoring the growing recognition of Ebizie’s innovative work. Further development was fostered through an R&D residency with Britten Pears Arts in 2023, culminating in a presentation of the installation "Extreme Unction Vol. 2" at Artsadmin’s festival of art, climate, and community in the same year. This sustained backing demonstrates a strong commitment from Mahogany Opera to nurturing groundbreaking artistic projects that push the boundaries of operatic form.
A Modern Reimagining of a Medieval Masterpiece
Hildegard von Bingen’s "Ordo Virtutum" is considered one of the earliest known music dramas, a spiritual allegory where the Virtues, led by the soul, ascend to God, battling the temptations of the Devil. Ebizie’s "Ecstasy of the Virtues" takes this foundational text and breathes new life into its characters. By placing these archetypal Virtues in contemporary guises, Ebizie invites audiences to consider the enduring relevance of these virtues – such as humility, chastity, and charity – in the face of modern challenges and societal pressures. This recontextualization promises to explore themes of faith, temptation, and the human struggle for spiritual integrity within the framework of the 21st century. The opera’s structure, which blends established operatic elements with contemporary performance art, suggests a dialogue between historical artistic traditions and current aesthetic sensibilities.
A Collaborative Creative Force
The realization of "Ecstasy of the Virtues" is a testament to a highly collaborative creative process. The production team includes Jennifer Muteteli White as associate director and Giulia Cristescu as assistant director, providing crucial directorial support. Tom Richards oversees the technical aspects as technical director, while Tzung-Hui Lee is responsible for the intricate set and video/projection design, which are expected to play a vital role in creating the multisensory experience. Krystal Lowe’s choreography will undoubtedly imbue the performance with dynamic visual storytelling, and Polly Simon’s costume design will be instrumental in defining the contemporary interpretations of the Virtues. Louis Gulliver King manages the logistical complexities as production manager. Steph Singer acts as artistic advisor, offering guidance on the overall artistic direction, and Kelsie Acton serves as the access consultant, ensuring the production is inclusive and accessible. The production is further supported by executive producer Bridget Rennie and producer Emily Moore, highlighting the significant infrastructure required to bring such an innovative opera to fruition.
A Multi-City Debut and Touring Engagement
Following its world premiere at London’s Stone Nest on September 25th, "Ecstasy of the Virtues" will have further performances on September 26th and 27th. The opera’s reach will extend beyond the capital, with subsequent performances scheduled in Leeds at the Howard Assembly Room, in partnership with Opera North, on October 3rd. The tour will then move to Barrow Town Hall, in collaboration with Full of Noises, on October 7th. This multi-city engagement signifies the growing appetite for innovative opera and provides opportunities for diverse audiences across the UK to experience Ebizie’s work. The partnerships with established opera companies and arts organizations like Opera North and Full of Noises suggest a strategic effort to integrate this new work into the broader operatic landscape.
The Significance of Accessibility in Contemporary Opera
The inclusion of theatrical British Sign Language and creative captions embedded within the performance is a significant aspect of "Ecstasy of the Virtues," reflecting a growing commitment to accessibility in the arts. This approach moves beyond mere accommodation to an integral part of the artistic design, enhancing the narrative and emotional impact for a wider audience. In an era where inclusivity is increasingly paramount, this operatic production sets a precedent for how new works can be conceived with accessibility at their core, rather than as an afterthought. This proactive design choice has the potential to broaden the appeal of opera and foster a more diverse and engaged audience base. The involvement of Kelsie Acton as an access consultant further underscores the dedication to making this production a model of inclusive practice.
Historical Context and Artistic Evolution
Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th-century polymath, composer, philosopher, mystic, and abbess, remains a towering figure in the history of Western art and thought. Her "Ordo Virtutum" was not merely a musical composition but a didactic tool, intended to convey spiritual truths through allegorical narrative and song. The work’s innovative structure and its exploration of moral and spiritual themes have resonated through centuries. Ebizie’s decision to engage with this medieval masterpiece is a deliberate act of artistic dialogue across time. By reinterpreting the Virtues for the modern age, she is not only honoring a historical legacy but also engaging in a critical examination of contemporary morality and spirituality. The opera’s multisensory elements, including dance, ritual, and projections, represent a departure from the traditional operatic format, pushing the genre into new territories and reflecting the diverse artistic influences that shape contemporary performance.
The Role of Mahogany Opera in Fostering New Voices
Mahogany Opera’s sustained support for "Ecstasy of the Virtues" highlights its crucial role in nurturing emerging and innovative artists. The organization’s commitment, dating back to 2020, demonstrates a long-term vision for developing new operatic works that challenge conventions and explore new artistic frontiers. Their multi-stage support, from festival inclusion to full commission and residencies, provides artists with the essential resources and time needed for creative development. This approach is vital for the health and evolution of the opera genre, which historically has relied on patronage and institutional support to bring ambitious projects to life. Mahogany Opera’s model of sustained engagement serves as an example for other arts organizations seeking to cultivate a vibrant and forward-looking artistic landscape. The organization’s strategic partnerships and development initiatives are instrumental in ensuring that new operatic voices can be heard and that groundbreaking works can reach a wider audience.
Broader Implications for the Operatic Landscape
The premiere of "Ecstasy of the Virtues" is likely to have broader implications for the operatic landscape. By integrating elements of performance art, multisensory experiences, and a strong emphasis on accessibility, Ebizie’s work challenges traditional notions of what opera can be. This experimental approach, grounded in a significant historical work, could inspire other composers and opera companies to explore similar innovative practices. The opera’s engagement with themes of faith, temptation, and virtue in a contemporary context also speaks to the genre’s capacity to address enduring human concerns in relevant and thought-provoking ways. The success of such productions can encourage greater investment in new opera and a broader acceptance of its evolving forms. Furthermore, the focus on diverse performers and inclusive practices signals a positive shift towards a more representative and accessible operatic future. The opera’s tour to different cities also suggests a potential for decentralizing operatic performance and bringing new works to audiences beyond the traditional metropolitan centers.
The world premiere of "Ecstasy of the Virtues" at Mahogany Opera represents more than just the debut of a new opera; it signifies a bold step forward in the evolution of the art form, a thoughtful engagement with historical precedent, and a commitment to making opera a more inclusive and dynamic experience for the 21st century.
