Theater Baden-Baden, Premiere 28.02.2025
DIRECTOR Constanze Hörlin
STAGE AND COSTUME Christian Blechschmidt
MUSIC Hannes Strobl
DRAMATURGY Peter Krauch
KATE, A PROJECT DEVELOPER Lisa Schwarzer
ELAINE, AN ACTOR IN REST Nadine Kettler
CHRIS, ELAINE’S NEIGHBOR, A THUG Catharina Kottmeier
SUE, THE STUDIO CHIEF Nicole Kersten
GREG TRELLIS, A FILM DIRECTOR Kilian Bierwirth
Sound sclupture 1
Sound sclupture 2
Sound sclupture 3
Lyonesse
Musical Concept by Hannes Strobl
A central element of the musical concept of Lyonesse is a series of ten compositions that can be understood as sound sculptures. Each one precedes a chapter of Penelope Skinner’s play, shaping the space, atmosphere, and narrative flow. These compositions interweave field recordings – authentic audio captured in Cornwall and London – with the deep, resonant sounds of electric bass and electric double bass, as well as fragments from Debussy’s La Mer.
These sound sculptures go far beyond mere musical accompaniment: “They carry the acoustic traces of their surroundings” and make geographical, social, and cultural contexts audible. The sound of the sea, the wind of Cornwall, and the noise of fishing boats meet urban soundscapes, while the instrumental components act like sculptural lines that densify the compositions.
At the same time, these soundscapes open a “sensory space of experience” into which the audience is invited to immerse itself. The compositions create an immersive atmosphere that oscillates between documentary reality and musical abstraction. They shape the space, evoke memories, and give the piece an acoustic depth that extends beyond the purely narrative text – a bridge between sound, place, and emotion.
Another key element is the wave-like instrumental structures derived from Debussy’s La Mer. These sonic movements repeatedly surface beneath the text, adding an additional metaphorical layer to the production. Their constant, almost hypnotic recurrence creates a flowing, ominous tension that spreads beneath the surface of the piece.
Additionally, a song was composed based on Thomas Hardy’s poem Lyonesse, sung by Nadine Kettler and Catherina Kottmeier. The style of the song is reminiscent of jazz and rhythm and blues, giving it emotional intensity and rhythmic dynamism. At the same time, it conjures the past of Elaine, the main character: once a celebrated, famous actress, the music rekindles memories of her former glory, fame, and the transience of success. Harmonies played by trumpet and saxophone add further depth and intensity to the piece. This blend of swinging rhythms and warm brass tones creates an intimate and expressive atmosphere that enhances the heart of the scene and draws the audience into a space full of longing and reflection.