The renowned American mezzo-soprano returns to the Teatro Colón stage to present EDEN with the Mozarteum Argentino. In this exclusive interview, she shares her expectations and experiences with this project that combines music with activism.
By Virginia Chacon Dorr
What can I listen to while reading this interview? MusicaClasicaBA recommends:
Joyce DiDonato will present her EDEN program with the ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro on Monday, August 5 at 8 PM at the Teatro Colón, as part of the 72nd Season of the Mozarteum Argentino. EDEN, acclaimed in over forty cities and five continents, includes works by composers such as Charles Ives, Francesco Cavalli, Georg Friedrich Händel, and Gustav Mahler, covering four centuries of exquisite music. EDEN invites reflection on our connection to and conservation of nature, combining music and performance into an extraordinary experience.
– Eden, apart from being a project of unique musical beauty, also has a deep activism base. What can you tell us about the origin of its creation?
As always, my inspiration comes from the world around me aided by the music. We are living in turbulent, chaotic times and in searching for a way to find comfort or understanding I turn to music and poetry to guide me. In the case of EDEN, I am seeing massive disconnect from humanity at large, and the natural world around us. I also grieve that music education has fallen out of the education curriculum for so many children around the world. So I pull on 4 centuries of music and text to show the perfection and simplicity of nature, contrasted with the greed of our human nature and the destruction that ensues. It’s all there in the music! The question is: are we listening?
“It goes to the heart of EDEN for me: that we have a real power to create a world that allows us to be great, to be caring, to be connected, and to raise our voices in hope and harmony.”– Joyce DiDonato
– What key factors did you take into account when selecting the works for Eden, which span five centuries?
-My starting point is always the text – with the exception of our opening number which has no words, yet is incredibly evocative. But normally I always turn to poetry and emotional narrative to help me forge a journey for the audience. It was important for me to show the perfection and harmonious bliss of nature (Mahler and Handel) and contrasting that with desolation and isolation (Gluck and Cavalli). One key moment is the piece by Rachel Portman which we commissioned to tell the story of “The First Morning of the World”, as that sets us off with the wish to speak the language of the trees.
– You have traveled around the world with this program, and it has been well received by diverse audiences. Which experiences do you remember as the most impactful that Eden has given you so far?
We launched EDEN in Europe in the spring of 2022, during the first week of the attack on Ukraine. All of us in the orchestra were quite distraught, and as we were touring in the north of Europe, we were witnessing first hand the flood of refugees and a world completely destabilized.
Our 3rd concert amidst this confusion was in Arnhem, where they had put together a new choir for our concert, as previously no children’s choir existed. The kids were understandably nervous, as they had never given a concert before – and we in the production were preoccupied with such a scary moment in the world.
After working with these children during the day, and performing side by side with them, I saw them come into their own and completely step up to the moment. As the concert finished, and their faces were bright red with joy and exhaustion, we met backstage and they were screaming at the top of their lungs: “THIS WAS THE GREATEST DAY EVER.” And it struck me – for them, it WAS the greatest day ever. And for other children, mere kilometers away, it was the worst day ever. Both of these feelings were true and valid.
It goes to the heart of EDEN for me: that we have a real power to create a world that allows us to be great, to be caring, to be connected, and to raise our voices in hope and harmony.
I also recall a 13-year old Iraqi girl who joined as part of 3 choirs in Luxembourg – children from hugely diverse backgrounds, and this was her first concert. Afterwards she told us that although she didn’t know any of the other singers in the choir, for the first time in her life, she felt that she belonged somewhere. That alone makes all the work of this project worthwhile.
– In recent times, a wave of denialism has emerged regarding the impact of human action on nature. What do you think art can say to invite reflection on this issue?
Music and art can remind us of the high ideals of balance and harmony, beauty and truth that we are inherent in both music and nature. We must remember what it is we have been given and that we are a part of this mystical, marvelous world. The moment we feel separate from it all, we invite discord and destruction.
– Music requires time and dedication, and these two concepts are difficult to reconcile in a context dominated by consumerism and instant gratification. How do you think young people can be encouraged to approach music as a profession?
I’m not particularly preoccupied in creating professional musicians – I think those that NEED to be performers will find their way in this world. But what I am passionate about is the need and urgency for ALL children to have access to creating music and art. It is a fundamental need for human expression and it absolutely is key to working together as we face incredible challenges in this complicated, beautiful world.
– Finally, what can you tell us about your return to the Teatro Colón with the Il Pomo d’Oro ensemble? What feelings and expectations does this return evoke in you?
I have a huge respect and love for the Teatro Colón and the Mozarteum organization. This is a place that feels sacred when you enter it, and the audience demands the very best of you as an artist – and I appreciate this challenge so much, and I feel it brings out the very best in me as a performer. It will be a huge honor to bring EDEN to this sacred space!
Program and Tickets
Joyce DiDonato, along with the Il Pomo d’Oro ensemble, will present her acclaimed program EDEN on Monday, August 5 at 8 p.m. at the Teatro Colón, as part of the 72nd Season of the Mozarteum Argentino.
Remaining subscription tickets can be purchased at the Teatro Colón box office or online at https://www.mozarteumargentino.org/
The concert on August 5 will not have an intermission, and latecomers will not be admitted once the performance has started.
