I am pleased to introduce to you “In the Beginning…”
“In the Beginning…” is my love and inspiration of the most recognized Renaissance artist of all time, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. It is a reflection of Michelangelo’s biblical art. Because of my passion for Opera I wanted the saxophone to be the voice. What I try to do, is to translate his biblical art with music.
The title “In the Beginning…” comes from the time I was putting together my project in Texas, after having spent several years in Italy and France, and my aunt not knowing I was creating an artistic project about the bible, to my great surprise, handed me to keep my late grandmother Gregorita’s Italian bible. In Italian the Old Testament opens with “In principio…” and this is the Italian version for “In the Beginning…”
The underline story for “In the Beginning…” is about “woman.”
Opens with a prelude, woman in the abyss (expressivo), with anticipation of creation of heaven and earth, with the spirit of God in our midst, emphasizing the creation of the world, “Life.”
I start with woman of all the living, EVA, the “woman” in the garden, scorned because of her disobedience. Unfortunately following her own will, and disobeyed God. (Matthew: 13-15), “Listen as you will, you shall not understand, look intently as you will, you shall not see.”
To AVE (if you spell EVA in reverse you get AVE), “the woman” in fact the perfect woman, who did obey God’s will. She is the mother of all the afflicted, our comforter.
To “woman” seeking redemption, by the mystery of the Incarnate Word.
In conclusion, to the Bride, “the woman” who prepares to meet her husband in heaven, the New Creation, Eternal life.
Now, I would like to begin my artistic reasoning for “In the Beginning…” I showcase the saxophone to transform you. I use this powerful instrument called the saxophone to sing to your heart, in an operatic style. We are “spiritual beings” therefore I know it is possible to be transformed. The saxophone is a powerful instrument, and has many potentials and I take full advantage of the opportunities throughout my VI Acts with each act emphasizing different emotion.
The music for “In the Beginning….” is composed by Armando Ghidoni. I commissioned him in 2008 to write the music for this opera. Of Italian origin, though French by adoption, Armando Ghidoni brings together, in his music, the spirits of both Italy and France. In the songs of this eclectic composer one finds sensitivity and the bel canto tradition, while his harmonic writing evokes both an impressionism à la française and great jazz rhythms, features that lend his works a unique and highly personal character.
Armando Ghidoni is intensely active as a composer, and his music is played in the more important theater: Opera National de Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, Opera National de Vichy, Berkeley Chamber Performances. His opera Minou et Gurmolon has been played throughout the world, most recently played at the “National Opera of Vichy in France.
