Starring: Christiaan Snyman (Bass-Baritone), Kerry Wisniewsky (Piano) & Natalie Bentley (Cello)
Don Quichotte as both a comic and tragic figure makes for a very rich subject matter. In the first song Don Quichotte sings a very exaggerated love song to Dulsinée, he says if she is offended by the earth spinning to much, he will send his arm bearer to go fix the problem, or that he will pluck stars from heaven if she so wished.
In his delusional state he believes his own stories. In the music one can here the turning of the earth so I decided to use images of my pottery turning, on the turning of the music. Organic stop motion videos of clay parts moving erratically and almost comically like the strange thoughts of the Don.
In the rest of the songs I used my paintings to reflect on the mood of each song. Like song 2, a prayer, the Don is almost immersed in his own world. I also use the motive of the setting sun as the Don is nearing his last breath in song 4 and then uses Massenet’s Élégie as a Eulogy to the Don.
The last song is more "feel good", showing the good intent of the Don, and the painting of the sun over water is warm and almost idyllic.
PROGRAMME:
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée (Maurice Ravel)
1. "Chanson romanesque"
2. "Chanson épique"
3. "Chanson à boire"
Chansons de Don Quichotte: "Chanson De La Mort De Don Quichotte" (Jaques Ibert)
"Élégie" (Jules Massenet)
Man of la Mancha "The impossible dream" (Dale Wasserman)