Black Harlequin is an exploration of language and imagery and the affects these and other forms of media have on us. It is a non-linear journey through the mechanisms of ideology that play a dominant role in the colonisation and denigration of unique societies and cultures.
As the title suggests, Black Harlequin is a new media opera. It demonstrates the non-narrative, visual and aural forms that are emerging with the broad availability of new technologies, making it possible to participate in an electronic theatre. In this environment technologies are introduced in such a way as to enhance and elaborate on traditional performance and opera. It has attempted to immerse audeinces into experiences devoid of the world they will leave behind.
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An opera can be described as, "a dramatic composition or performance of which music is an essential part". Historically, operas drew together various art disciplines to create a theatre "by the people, for the people". Black Harlequin returns opera "to the people" by creating opportunities for "public access" to the performance by way of online media tools (i.e. World Wide Web). As such, the use of these technologies within public environments will be explored.
Black Harlequin has been performed by the choir, Fierce Throat, accompanied by generative compositions and sound collague. Throughout some performances computer rendered images interacted with the score and libretto.
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The opera is made up of 12 individual sequences, each with its own theme, creating an overall sensual expression by way of an amalgamation of the production tools employed. Black Harlequin cannot be described in terms of a story with a definitive beginning, middle and end, but the sense of theme, the sense of drama, of having undergone an experience outside of ones daily routine is thoroughly explored in the confluence of disciplines presented during the production proper.
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The themes running throughout the opera are not necessarily indigenous to Australia. Their influences are international in scope - they reflect the global nature of the information sources that influence our lives daily. With that in mind the production utilises atmospheric sounds and imagery collected from countries such as China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. An emphasis on Asia is representative of the significant influence Western culture is having on these countries.
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