Morton Feldman’s ‘Rothko Chapel’ to Resonate in Florence with Immersive Performances
Florence, Italy – On March 21st, the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will host three performances of Morton Feldman’s ‘Rothko Chapel,’ a profoundly contemplative work composed in response to the art of Mark Rothko. The concerts coincide with the ‘Rothko in Florence’ exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, running from March 14th to August 23rd, creating a unique synergy between visual and auditory art.
A Sonic Response to Rothko’s Vision
Originally commissioned in 1971 following the opening of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, Feldman’s piece is designed to evoke the spiritual and perceptual experience of Rothko’s monumental paintings. Feldman, a contemporary of artists like Jackson Pollock and Philip Guston, sought to translate the essence of abstract expressionism into sound. As he explained, he aimed to create a “musical environment that had the same kind of presence as Rothko’s painting: non-descriptive, non-narrative, but purely perceptual.” [Source: LA Phil]
Both artists, Feldman and Rothko, shared a desire to transcend traditional boundaries of time and space. Rothko used color to dissolve these boundaries, even as Feldman pursued a similar objective through sound, creating a sense of suspended time and inviting introspection. Feldman observed that the arrangement of Rothko’s paintings in the chapel created “an uninterrupted continuity,” a principle he mirrored in the musical structure of ‘Rothko Chapel’ through contrasting yet seamlessly connected sections.
An Immersive Concert Experience
The performances at the Teatro del Maggio will transform the Orchestra Hall into an evocative space reminiscent of the Rothko Chapel. The hall, typically closed to the public, will be reconfigured to create an immersive atmosphere. Musicians, choir members, and soloists will be positioned within an octagonal arrangement, mirroring the chapel’s architecture, with the audience seated around them. [Source: LA Phil]
This spatial arrangement is intended to envelop the audience in sound, mirroring the way Rothko’s canvases surround the viewer. Attendees are encouraged to consider themselves active participants in the performance, fully immersed in Feldman’s sonic world.
Performance Details
‘Rothko Chapel’ will be performed on March 21st at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. Tickets are available through the May Theatre’s sales channels, both online and at the box office (Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
About ‘Rothko Chapel’
The piece is scored for soprano, alto, mixed choir, viola, celesta, and percussion. [Source: YouTube] It is known for its delicate interplay between sound and silence, offering a profound dialogue between the musical elements and the spirit of Rothko’s art.