Pierrot lunaire sits somewhere between cabaret and concert, acting and singing, madness and depravity. It flirts with chaos as Arnold Schoenberg translates each tiny poem into music. It’s over a hundred years old, but it remains radical to the ear – a revolutionary classic that transformed music and concerts forever, just as Cubism changed painting. Even Ensemble Offspring’s distinctive line-up of musicians can be traced to this iconic creation and its grungy tale of the ‘moonstruck’ clown of commedia dell’arte.

Almost 30 years to the day and in the same venue as the Spring Ensemble’s first concert, Moonstruck looks to the origins of our ensemble and imagines the future. The starting point is Arnold Schoenberg’s revolutionary classic from 1912, Pierrot lunaire – still radical to the ear as it straddles the border between cabaret and concert, acting and singing. And we’re pitting it against a long form provocative new take on the original, commissioned from UK ‘triple threat’ Laura Bowler. Presented in association with Sydney Chamber Opera.

“Composer Laura Bowler's music is corporeal, hijacking the nervous system and sending shivers shaking down the spine. It…is often onomatopoeic, evoking screams, shudders, and squeals…”

-Broadway World

Program

ARNOLD SCHOENBERG Pierrot lunaire (1912)
LAURA BOWLER Deconstructing Pierrot (2024)*

* Australian premiere - co-commissioned by Red Note Ensemble (Scotland), Music on Main (Canada) and Ensemble Offspring

Pre Concert Talk (2:15pm)

Vanessa Hughes (host), Claire Edwardes and Jack Symonds

Performers

Jessica Aszodi (vocals)
Jane Sheldon (vocals)
Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director, percussion)
Lamorna Nightingale (flutes)
Jason Noble (clarinet)
Véronique Serret (violin)
Blair Harris (cello)
Jack Symonds (piano)
Mitchell Riley (actor)
Eugene Lynch (director)

Contact the host of Moonstruck Presented by EO

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