Egmont
a symphonic - dramatic - cinematic event produced with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
a distilled performance of Goethe’s five-act 1787 tragedy Egmont to accompany Beethoven’s 1810 Egmont, Op. 84 incidental music inspired by the play. Produced by the Lousiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the arts collective afafala, we bring to life the romance and heroism of the 16th century Dutch nobleman, Count Egmont and his love Clara in their final days of love and sacrifice. Our interpretation of Egmont explores the tension between worldly power and spiritual power while illustrating the need for love in fighting for independence.
April 20th, 2023 at the Oprheum Theatre in New Orleans.
Following an intermission, the orchestra will present Beethoven's 7th Symphony.
Featuring:
musicians of The LPO
Grace Kennedy, performer
Sarah Jane McMahon, soprano
Carlos Prieto, conductor
Christopher Givens, director
Anderson Funk, live video projection artist
Becky Allen, sculpture artist
Anthony Oscar, poster design & dramaturgy
The text for this dramatic staging was created by Grace Kennedy (performer) and Christopher Givens (director) from a variety of sources, including scenes from Goethe's original Egmont and then distilled into roughly 10 scenes wherein Grace performs the roles of multiple characters. They were joined by artist Anderson Funk who live-edited short films made by Christopher which were projected above the orchestra, creating a layered cinematic/dramatic/symphonic event.
At the heart of the story is a conflict between social order and individual freedom. Goethe explores the power that comes with levels of class and examines the differences between the power of the tyrant and the power of one who has their strength originate within their own spirit. Egmont is a figure who sacrifices his comfort for his ideals and pays the price. Beethoven's score for Egmont is full-bodied and passionately furious at times.
In exploring his songs visually for the stage, we utilize video projection with Anderson to create cinematic images that resonate with the emotional depth of the music. We are excited to bring to life this new interpretation of a potent and much beloved work.
Who was Egmont? Here are a few dramaturgical notes compiled by Anthony Oscar:
The subject matter of Egmont, rebellion and triumph over tyranny, was of deep concern to Beethoven. That was also the theme of his opera, Fidelio, which he was struggling to revise at the time. Beethoven composed Egmont during the Napoleonic Wars when the First French Empire had extended its domination over vast swathes of Europe. Beethoven had famously expressed his great outrage over Napoleon Bonaparte's decision to crown himself Emperor in 1804, furiously scratching out his name in the dedication of the Eroica Symphony. In the music for Egmont, Beethoven expressed his own political concerns through the exaltation of the heroic sacrifice of a man condemned to death for having taken a valiant stand against oppression.
The Overture became an unofficial anthem of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.
Count Egmont is a historical personage of the 16th century, serving in the Netherlands under King Philip II of Spain. He is loyal to the crown and to the Catholic faith, but he champions tolerance of Protestants and other non-Catholics. Though under threat of arrest, Egmont refuses to run away and give up his ideal of liberty. Egmont is entrapped by King Philip II of Spain who captures him with the help of the church. He is imprisoned and finally beheaded on charges of heresy. Egmont’s death led to mass protests and ultimately contributes to the independence of the Netherlands.
