Curse of Rome

Synopsis

Video work by Kenneth Doren. Doren’s statement from the CASP website: "`The Curse of Rome’ for solo voice subverts Shakespeare’s text of ‘Julius Caesar’ to the restructuring of melodies based on British baroque composer Henry Purcell. Shakespeare’s text has been edited and expanded upon to collapse the play’s characters into a new single fictional character that represents the zeitgeist of our past and present times. The lyrics form a contrast to the sacred and British sovereign compositions that Purcell is known for. This work continues my research and practice into varied forms of musical interventions that engage a political discourse utilizing singing to decode the subject". The singer is Helen Pridmore.

Language

English

Country

Canada

Medium

Multimedia; Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Recording date

2008

Duration

5 mins

Credits

Director

Kenneth Doren

Writer

Kenneth Doren

Cast

Helen Pridmore

Additional Details

Production type

Other

Plays

Julius Caesar

Subjects

Music

Keywords

Purcell, Henry (1659-1695); Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); songs

Notes

Notes

The video can be streamed and the lyrics read at the Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare (CASP) website (accessed 1/2009).

Online Availability

Online URL

http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/multimedia/video/curse_of_rome.cfm

Online Retailer

Name

Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project