TENEBRAE
(2022-23)
music theatre for voice, trumpet, violin, electronics, light design and video
Program notes
TENEBRAE is a music theatre work which explores the relationship between the human voice and technology, an intermedial dialogue between human and artificial centred around the topic of the historical and social fascination with the end of the world. The work consists of 5 distinct scenes — as well as a prologue, 2 brief video interludes and an epilogue —, each drawing from different literary-musical sources and exploring different stages of the voice’s connection to technology.
Its title, Tenebrae, is the Latin word for darkness or obscurity, which is also the name of the office sung during the Holy Week at which the Crucifixion is commemorated by the gradual extinguishment of candles. This provides an explicit reference towards Christian religion, some symbols and elements of which — in particular those in relationship with the biblical end of times, but also the Tenebrae celebration itself — constitute an important part of the work. However, its literal meaning of darkness is also of great importance, since the work aims to approach the stage as a dynamic entity, an ever-morphing and fluid environment shaped through interconnected layers of performance, sound and light — as well as darkness — to create a unified and immersive experience.
Duration: c. 60'
Personnel
José del Avellanal Carreño – composition, light design, performance (voice)
Petra Barbarić – performance (violin)
Matthias Müller – performance (trumpet)
Oğuz Namal – assistance with electronics
Beat Müller – sound technician
Performance
7.10.2023 – Graduation concert, Hochschule der Künste Bern (CH)



