Musical Theatre for Actors, Cello, Flute, Electronics and Motion Tracking. Influences and Methodology.

The following paper focuses on the influences that have contributed to the creation of Venusia: a piece of musical theatre for three actors, cello, flute and electronics scheduled for performance at Sound, Sight, Space and Play 2009. The piece is the result of combined efforts between the author of this paper and members of Ubikteatro, a theatre-research group based in Venice. The main idea behind the piece was to create a work for musical theatre based on the soundscape of Venice and the rich cultural legacy of the city. We also wanted to incorporate theatrical gesture as a means of controlling musical expression and explore the associated potential by placing it within the context of a specific tradition (Venetian spatial music, Luigi Nono and musical theatre) while combining it coherently and artistically with other influences and research interests. The purpose of this document is to highlight the research elements that influence our work and the methodology implemented in combining them.