Experiencing Music in Different Ways: Fidelio 2020
Update: Postponed due to COVID-19, check back here for more updates.
The Gustavo Dudamel Foundation is bringing the Coro de Manos Blancas (White Hands Choir) of Venezuela to Europe on a tour with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in April 2020, which will celebrate Beethoven's 250th birthday by exploring his identity as a deaf artist. The tour was inspired by Gustavo’s visit to the Beethovenhaus in Bonn, Germany. To Gustavo, what was perceived by some as a limitation, in reality, was actually reinforcing and furthering Beethoven’s creativity.
The ensemble will be visiting several major concert and opera houses in Spain (Barcelona, Madrid), Germany (Dortmund), and Luxembourg to perform his only opera Fidelio, which is based around the idea of freedom from oppression. Fidelio premiered in its final form in 1814, conducted by the composer himself who was almost completely deaf by that time.
The Coro de Manos Blancas will form the moving narrative backbone of the opera, which speaks to limitations on our personal freedom and how we fight to overcome obstacles.
Gustavo and the Foundation will also partner with local deaf communities to examine the importance of music, art, and movement through immersive rehearsal and concert experiences.
The Foundation will also examine and expand the tour's impact through initiatives in each city beyond live performance, including on-stage conversations and written essays. In Paris, the Choir will be involved in public programming to showcase its art in front of new audiences. Informed and guided by the experience in Europe, plans are underway for future programs in North America.
Fidelio Tour Performance Schedule
(POSTPONED) 2020 April 14 — Barcelona, Palau >> Info and Tickets
(Cancelled) 2020 April 17 — Madrid, Teatro Real >> INFO AND TICKETS
(CANCELLED) 2020 April 22 — Dortmund, Konzerthaus >> Info and Tickets
(CANCELLED) 2020 April 24 — Luxembourg, Philharmonie >> Info and Tickets
Additional Programming
(CANCELLED) 2020 April 21 — Paris, Philharmonie De Paris
The Gestural Artists of the White Hands Choir of El Sistema will collaborate with the Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris for short concert in Le Studio at the Philharmonie de Paris.
