Violet Fire received its world premiere on July 9-15, 2006 at the National Theater in Belgrade, as part of the celebration of Tesla’s 150th birthday. On October 18-21, 2006, the Brooklyn Academy of Music presented the opera’s US premiere in New York during its Next Wave Festival, featuring singers and musicians of Serbia’s National Theater. A performance at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA was produced in February 2004.
Violet Fire's sets sets, props and costumes were created by Serbian theater designer Boris Caksiran. Media designers Sarah Drury and Jen Simmons created a visual through-line with multi-planed digital projections and live animation elements. Choreographer Nina Winthrop developed movement for a single dancer who doubled with a singer to create the persona of the White Dove. Director Terry O'Reilly drew on his background in experimental theater to synthesize all these elements, merging performers, music and imagery in a powerful and immersive experience. Other collaborators include Terry O’Reilly, longtime co-artistic director of Mabou Mines, who directed all versions of the production. Media design, featuring a full video score including live animation, was created by Sarah Drury and Jen Simmons. Choreographer Nina Winthrop, director of Nina Winthrop and Dancers, developed dance for the productions. Boris Čakširan designed the sets and costumes. Six soloists and a full chorus performed Violet Fire with the Belgrade National Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Ana Zorana Brajović. |
Performance credits
Belgrade & Bam
Composer | Jon Gibson
Concept & Libretto | Miriam Seidel
Director | Terry O'Reilly
Conductor | Ana Zorana Brajović
Choreographer | Nina Winthrop
Sets/Costumes | Boris Čakširan
Media Design | Sarah Drury/Jen Simmons
Lighting Design | Mary Louise Geiger
Sound Design | Jorge Cousineau
Producer | Laura Aswad
CAST
Tesla | Scott Murphree/
Darko Dordević
Reporter | Nenad Nenić
Dragana Stanković
White Dove | Mirjiana Jovanović
White Dove Dancer | Johanna Kotze/
Kristen Hollinsworth
Margaret Storm | Ana Lackovich
Mark Twain | Peter Stewart (New York)
Miodrag Jovanović (Belgrade)
Concept & Libretto | Miriam Seidel
Director | Terry O'Reilly
Conductor | Ana Zorana Brajović
Choreographer | Nina Winthrop
Sets/Costumes | Boris Čakširan
Media Design | Sarah Drury/Jen Simmons
Lighting Design | Mary Louise Geiger
Sound Design | Jorge Cousineau
Producer | Laura Aswad
CAST
Tesla | Scott Murphree/
Darko Dordević
Reporter | Nenad Nenić
Dragana Stanković
White Dove | Mirjiana Jovanović
White Dove Dancer | Johanna Kotze/
Kristen Hollinsworth
Margaret Storm | Ana Lackovich
Mark Twain | Peter Stewart (New York)
Miodrag Jovanović (Belgrade)