photo by John C. Hawthorne

 ANIARA: FRAGMENTS OF TIME AND SPACE

Premiered June 2019
Available for Touring

Composer and Co-Conceiver: Robert Maggio (USA)
Director, Librettist and Co-Conceiver: Dan Henriksson (FIN)
Conductor and Co-Conceiver: Donald Nally (USA)
Ensemble: 16 singers from The Crossing (USA), 2 actors from Klockriketeatern (FIN), & 1 dancer from Wusheng Company (FIN)
Based on the epic poem by Harry Martinson (SWE)

photo and video provided by The Crossing and Klockriketeatern

Tabs would be:

Introduction
Trailer + Videos
Stage Design
Technical Elements
Venue Requirements
Traveling Company

Introduction

Premiered in Philadelphia (June 2019) with further performances at the Haarlem Choral Biennale, The Netherlands (July 2019) and Finnish National Opera, Helsinki (September 2019), Aniara:fragments of time and space is the critically-acclaimed collaboration from The Crossing, Klockriketeatern, and composer Robert Maggio.

* * *

The last spaceship to leave a dying earth veers off course and heads into eternity; her passengers are left to face the emptiness within and without. Based on the epic poem by Nobel Prize winner Harry Martinson, Aniara follows the physical and emotional voyage of this group, headed forever toward the constellation Lyra.

Combining theater and composed music, Aniara explores the relationship between disparate practices and genres of art, while asking questions about our relationship to one another, to Earth, and to the passage of time. Sometimes cold and brutal, at other times touching, it is a ruthlessly honest view of human nature.

A 95 minute musical work for chamber choir and theater.
Scored for 16 singers, 4-person instrumental band (cello, clarinet, guitar, percussion), 2 actors, 1 dancer, and 1 conductor.
Production elements include costumes, lighting, video projections, sound design, props and tennis-style audience seating.

VISIT THE ANIARA MICROSITE FOR MORE DETAILS, INCLUDING BLOG POSTS AND VIDEO DESCRIPTIONS

Trailer + Videos

Featured Video - Aniara Revisited https://youtu.be/fJ5iUF-u3x4

Gallery videos

Movement 5 https://youtu.be/SaYyoxNk0ck
Movement 10 https://youtu.be/trmuUcImTT8
Movement 17 https://youtu.be/o4wk2AC9tSM
Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fuatS4C6Qg&t=16s
Music Composition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZT6UgpIbOM
Production Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc1oQ4KT03c
Costumes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfC_uou0rfg
Libretto & Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmTfJbKISE
Dance & Choreography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT5wpTL589U
Creative Debrief https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25oelQ1GMJQ

Stage Design

– Optimum performance area of 6 meters (20 feet) wide and 22 meters (72 feet) deep with riser seating on two sides flanking the playing space.

– Audience seated tennis-style on long sides in two (or more) rows with 0,5 meter (1,6 feet) elevation increace per audience row, first row will sit on floor level. Mid-court break in seating 1,5 meter (ca. 5 feet) on either side. This area is used by the members of the choir during the performance. The band area minimum is 7 meter (23 feet) wide and 3 meter (10 feet) deep flat space on the short-end of the playing space. The audience and performer entrance should cover the minimum area of 6 meter (20 feet) wide and 2 meter (6,5 feet) deep and the entrance should be covered with black molton with a walkthrough in the center line of the stage. The walkthrough needs to be opened and closed during the performance with a pulley system along with being able to be performer operated.

– Venue rigging height should be no less than 6 meters. Video projectors rear end (highest point in the set) is rigged at 5.5 meter (18 feet) to achieve 6 meter (20 feet) wide image on the white marley. The projectors and kinetic lights will be rigged on a  black truss box (Square truss 30cm x 30cm) which will need to be 15 m deep and 3,5 m wide. The truss box will have five 3,5 m truss pieces on top mounted with truss couplers - the video projectors will be rigged on these trusses because the alignment of the projectors needs to be adjustable. The lowest level of this truss box will need to be 5,25 m.


Technical Elements

Complete and current Technical Specifications for the venue, including lighting, sound, and video equipment inventory; line sets and stage dimensions (including ground plans, and section view to scale)

CLICK FOR THE FULL PRODUCTION RIDER

Venue Requirements

The Presenter shall provide:

  • The Presenter shall provide a venue that is clean, appropriately staffed and well maintained throughout, including public, stage and backstage areas.A clear description of the labor – whether student or professional.

  • A schedule of work hours and limitations must be provided to Company for planning rehearsals and technical runs.

  • Internet (wireless) access and access to printer, copier/scanner  telephone, and wireless access in the performance space and green room for COMPANY

  • Rehearsal space or dance studio in the venue or in close proximity to the venue for both morning training and company rehearsals inclusive of a piano or electronic keyboard, 30 chairs, 2 tables  and 20 music stands.

  • Complete and current Technical Specifications for the venue, including lighting, sound, and video equipment inventory; line sets and stage dimensions (including ground plans, and section view to scale) – to be sent to the department heads and Production Manager no later than two (2) months prior to load in. 

  • Power conversion, as necessary and applicable for all equipment. 

The Presenter shall:

  • Have a technical representative of the Presenter or from the Venue contact the Company’s technical director/production manager no later than 60 days prior to the date of the Company’s arrival

  • Pre-hang and ring out the light plot, scenic elements (risers) and marley flooring (to be laid at last moment). A Company Rep to be available for the duration of focus, Load in venue to venue of rented sound and video/kinetic lighting equipment.

  • Patch and rig prior to the company arrival on day 1.

  • A tech table in the house equipped with headset communication, talk back mic, lighting console monitor or console for rehearsals and cueing.

  • Make their production, administration and box office staff aware of the technical and dramaturgical elements of the show. Videos and scores are available and can be studied for comprehensive understanding of production elements.

The Company shall provide:

  • Costumes, props, set pieces and sound effects necessary for each performance, except as indicated in the technical rider.  

  • Selected technical equipment as detailed in the technical rider.

  • Technical Information Package complete with stage plan; audio & lighting paperwork; audio files, and corresponding paperwork two (2) weeks prior to the first day of load in.

Traveling Company

16   Choir
4      Orchestra
3      Actor/Dancers
2      Conductor, Director  
1      Lighting/Video Supervisor (& operator)
1      Audio Designer & Engineer (& operator)
1      Production Stage Manager
2-4   Company and administrative staff