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Alice

Music Theater in four parts (2020)

for voice, 2× soprano, mezzo-soprano, 2× tenor, baritone, countertenor, violin, violoncello, flute, alto saxophone in Eb, piano and percussion

Duration: 120'

Dichter der Textvorlage: Lewis Carroll

Libretto von: Angel Hernandez Lovera

About the work

Alice - Angel Hernández Lovera

@danielapixx

Opera in 4 parts

"Alice" is a chamber opera that stands out for its originality by presenting a contemporary adaptation of the book "Alice in Wonderland." It focuses on an 18-year-old girl who navigates the transition to adulthood and searches for her identity during a delirious night. With music and libretto by Angel Hernandez Lovera, this reinvention of the classic character takes the opera into new territory, where universal and timeless themes merge with the experiences of today's youth, making it unique and relevant for contemporary audiences.

@danielapixx

Synopsis

Alice, a teenager eager to start her adult life, goes out one night to celebrate. In her quest for adventure, she enters a bar that turns out to be quite unexpected. Once inside, she realizes the place is filled with "strange" people whom she gradually encounters.

Part I:

Alice meets a man with a split personality, Dee&Dum, who tries to convince her that she needs to find herself and understand who she truly is.

Part II:

Alice encounters an older, disheveled man smoking alone in a corner of the bar. This man is Absolem and tries to persuade her to follow the right path and do the right thing. Overhearing this, a Cuban trans woman (the Cat) tells Alice that she should follow her own path and go in the direction she desires.

Part III:

Alice arrives at a dance hall where only one couple, the March hare and he Hatter, who does not want any social contact, tries to prevent her from entering their party. Once inside, Alice is subjected to a rather peculiar interrogation.

Part IV:

Everyone waits outside the office of the bar's owner, a woman who calls herself the Queen. With a very extravagant appearance and an arrogant attitude, she emerges from her office, angry because someone has stolen a tart. To find the culprit, she starts a trial where the drunk is the judge, the trans woman is the herald, and the mad hatter is the accused. The jury, however, is the audience. During the trial, Alice is called to testify, but in a confusing twist, she becomes the accused, charged with not knowing who she is, and she has no way to defend herself.

Epilogue:

By the jury's decision, Alice will be declared either innocent or guilty, and she will share her thoughts on this verdict. The chases are transitions where the white rabbit, symbolizing anxiety, temptation, paranoid behavior, and Alice's need to grow up, plunges her into the darkest realms of human personality.

@danielapixx

Roles

March Hare: Soprano

Queen of hearts: Soprano

Alice: Mezzo-soprano

The Cat: Contratenor

Dee & Dum: Tenor

Hatter: Tenor

Absolem: Baritone

White Rabbit: Dancer

Jabberwocky: Dancer

Instrumentation: Flute, Saxophone, Percussion, Violin, Cello and Piano

@danielapixx

Characteristics of each role

March Hare: A woman with paranoia is in a private room at the bar because she doesn't want to have contact with anyone except her partner, the Mad Hatter. Her behavior confuses Alice to the point of driving her nearly insane and causing her to distance herself from them.

Queen of hearts: She is the bar owner, a bit eccentric and prone to speaking in incoherent phrases. She appears on stage to claim that she has been robbed, in a conspiracy involving the cat and Absolem, who then accuse Alice of the theft. The queen is the one who decides Alice's fate at the end of the opera.

Alice: An 18-year-old girl is eager to explore the world, leave adolescence behind, and mature into an adult woman. She is impulsive, fearful, and confused; she tries to explore her inner self and find herself in a world where everyone wants to influence her development.

The Cat: A confident transgender woman shows Alice that she should follow her dreams and her own path. She confronts Absolem to prove that there is no single correct way.

Dee & Dum: A bipolar man full of contradictions confuses Alice and makes her realize that she doesn’t know who she is. Dum has an arrogant and intimidating personality, while Dee tries to understand that Alice is just a girl lost in her own world.

Hatter: The partner of the March Hare, somewhat paranoid and fearful, avoids getting into trouble with others due to his deep fear after having had issues with Time.

Absolem: An adult man, probably around 40 years old, is spending that night at the bar, as he does every night, a bit drunk and smoking to relax and forget his problems. He wants to teach everyone how to live, but he doesn't know how to do it himself.

White Rabbit: Represents temptation and impatience. He is the one who leads Alice to meet each character in the bar, so she can learn from each of them.

Jabberwocky: Represents Alice's inner fears.

@danielapixx

Premiered on June 8th and 9th, 2024, at the José Félix Ribas Hall of the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, this production was brought to life by the Teresa Carreño Opera Company, and the Contemporary Music Department of the Teresa Carreño Theater.

Team and cast involved in this production:

Team:

Conductor: Elisa Vegas / Director: Miguel Issa / Director assistant: Emérita García / Vocal coach: Ana María Raga / Vocal coach: Omar Chacón / Costume: Samyra Recondo / Stage: Elvis Chaventa

Cast:

Alice: Marilyn Viloria / March Hare: Caribay Saavedra / Queen of Hearts: Angela Marrero / The Cat: Argenis Salcedo / Hatter: Raimer Gil / Dee and Dum: Gregory Pino / Absolem: Christian Pabón / Dancer: Armando Díaz / Dancer: Roig Lorenzo / Dancer: Margarita Morales / Dancer: Carolina Wolf

Ensamble Iberoamericano:

Flute: Andrés Eloy Rodríguez / Saxophon: Luís Homedes / Percussion: Alejandro Sarriegui / Violin: Mirka Scepanovic / Cello: Elio Herrera / Piano: Carlos López

@danielapixx

Message and Innovation

"Alice" makes significant contributions to society by addressing crucial themes such as the search for identity and the process of growing up. By portraying Alice's internal struggle, the opera encourages the audience to reflect on their own experiences and challenges as they transition to adulthood. The work emphasizes the importance of the decisions made during this stage, as well as the external influences such as love, excess, and temptation. These themes aim to foster empathy and understanding among different generations and cultures.

"Alice" also stands out for its innovative approach to set design and audience interaction. Through the use of light and contrast, the opera recreates the nighttime atmosphere of a bustling city, immersing the audience in the sensory experience. Additionally, a unique audience dispersion technique ensures that each viewer has a distinct perspective, becoming an integral part of the performance environment. This active interaction between the audience and the narrative breaks traditional barriers between the stage and the spectators, fostering a deeper connection with the story.

In summary, "Alice" is a chamber opera that offers a contemporary adaptation of Lewis Carroll's text with an original libretto by Angel Hernandez Lovera, exploring the search for identity and the transition to adulthood in today's youth. Its originality lies in blending timeless themes with contemporary experiences, while its contributions to society aim to generate empathy and understanding across generations. Furthermore, its innovative set design and audience participation provide a unique and compelling theatrical experience.