Sola Perduta Abandonatta! from the Opera Manon Lescu by Puccini. Video Laure Leber/
World-famous thereminist Armen Ra debuts METAL, a multimedia cycle of five arias selected from the repertoire of Maria Callas. Special guests narrate the content of the arias while the theremin voices the melodies, set against a backdrop of metallic black-and-white footage of Callas, projected in extreme slow motion so that every micro-expression in her face becomes apparent, simultaneously revealing a woman of great pride and profound vulnerability, creating a portrait that is both hauntingly mythological and painfully human.
As if playing the ghost of an instrument, a Thereminists role appears to be part musician part conjurer; though after listening to Armen Ras playing and point of view, you most likely will believe the latter.
In METAL, his July 9 performance at The New Museum, Armen Ras Theremin recital of five arias will give voice to the premier of his silent slow-motion video piece of sampled Maria Callas footage. The performance attempts to bridge the distance between creative spirits with Ouija board will. By extracting and amplifying the most potent elements of her stage presence, he creates a haunting distillation of the diva.
Divorced from his identity to receive anothers, Armen Ra notes that he enters an otherworldly state while performing. In this sense, he opens the possibility for sonic drag. The substitution of the sound of the Theremin for the voice of Callas teeters on the edge of selfless homage and provides new entry into the tradition of drag and gender performance. Consequently, the Theremin transcends its eerie science fiction associations for an elegant connection to voice and the music of the spheres.
Bomb On The Inside: On The Scene is a series of videotaped discussions with creative individuals curated and conducted by Hannah Kahng and Richard Goldstein. Video Edited by Mitch Moore.
INTERVIEW
Review by John Hoge. Thereminworld.com
The theater at the museum was larger than I expected, very simple and nice with an open raised stage and giant smooth wall for projections.
I'd seen a celebrity in the lobby, but didn't know what was coming: Armen's guest narrator was one of the most famous voices in New York downtown theater, the actor and playwright Edgar Oliver! His reading of some aria lyrics was a perfect fit.
The visual breadth of this concert may well have been the best setting yet for Armen's playing. You'd think such massive visuals would eclipse a single player standing in shadows, but his intense presence and concentration was still riveting. Projections became an extension of the music being created on stage. The non-stop format made for a breathless journey through pure music that was entertaining in every way.
Armen has always been one of the most expressive and musical thereminists. Since he moved to L.A. it's been a while since I've seen him. An added delight in hearing an artist, and old favorites over time, is enjoying the subtle changes in their music making.
It seemed to me he's understanding and embracing the "true" voice of the theremin, and accepting the nature of the instrument at a deeper level. Not imitating a soprano, especially in the quicker or jumpy bits, but letting the theremin sound like itself naturally without pressing it into some other mold. Armen sounded relaxed in the control field, his intonation was excellent and his phrasing is always exquisitely musical. The playing was honest: centered, secure and confident - the music just flowed from that core.
The program featured "Casta Diva" from Norma, "Vissi d'arte" from Tosca, "Sola, perduta, abbandonata" from Manon Lescaut, "Ebben? Ne andrò lontana" from La wally, and a projected montage of Maria Callas archival footage edited to the backing tracks to form an organic companion to the vision of Armen pulling sear beauty out of thin air.
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Thereminist Armen Ra/WREQUIEM@LA Mama NYC.Meditaion/"When my sorrow died "Khalil Gibranby ArmenRa5,964 views
Miracle - it makes me cry!
vocalandchords 2 years ago
Armen Ra you sprent your magic again. Greater respect!
elinaq7 2 years ago
That was absolute channeling.
Just amazing.
kalliopeamorphous 2 years ago