Entertainment

Gothic

11. Dec, 2018

The talented and established Andrée Greenwell brings Gothic, her newest creation to Melbourne. Gothic comprises all parts of gothic music through the ages with fantastic visuals by Michaela French to accompany the score. Gothic is mesmerising with wholly engaging versions of some of the most famous pieces of music. Gothic explores themes throughout European, Australian and American gothic history, taking the audience on a journey through medieval to contemporary times.

While studying at the VCA, Greenwell started composing music when she was 19 years old. She was inspired by all different genres of music, but mostly by post-punk underground gigs and experimental pieces during this time. Greenwell now draws inspiration from everywhere, including children she teaches.

Greenwell says:

‘Now I experience music as equally important in many contexts by those who are virtuosos and those who might be playing for pleasure at an open mic. I am more interested in the making and communication of music rather than impressing people.’

Greenwell has composed over 100 scores including The Hanging of Jean Lee, Listen to Me, Dreaming Transportation: Voice Portraits of the First Women of White Settlement at Port Jackson and Laquiem: Tales from the Mourning of the Lac Women. Greenwell explores an array of different instruments and voice varieties to construct her musical creations. Soprano and contemporary vocals, string quartet and the electric guitar are all showcased in this marvellous show.

Being the independent and self-producing artist that Greenwell is, she wanted to create ‘a work in which [she] could jump forwards and backwards in time; and then blend new and old instruments.’ Gothic is exactly this with some amazing visuals and vocals.

Understanding that ‘it is a challenge to independently tour works like this interstate in Australia’, Greenwell is grateful for the amount of support these independent works can receive. Learning from previous shows, Greenwell endeavors to grow and enrich her own practice when creating new work.

Greenwell previewed that Gothic is ‘a natural development of many of the ideas I have been exploring but some aspects have stepped up – for example I have spent more time on audio and electronica, for example.’

Greenwell will be working on a chamber opera that will be in collaboration with Opera Queensland next year. Until then, keep your ears peeled for another Gothic show release.