A Graeae Theatre Company production in partnership with BBC Concert Orchestra and Curve Theatre. Commissioned by The Stables for IF: Milton Keynes International Festival
An extraordinary blind musician. A family hell-bent on a cure.
In the glittering salons of 18th-century Vienna, Maria-Theresia von Paradis is a star. Pianist, composer, touring musician; this pupil of Salieri and friend (and alleged lover) of Mozart has captivated Europe with her own sensational talent. They call her The Blind Enchantress.
Yet behind this dazzling success story there are darker forces at work. Some of those closest to Maria-Theresia are looking to profit from her blindness. Others are looking to ‘cure’ her – whatever it takes.
A newly commissioned chamber opera, with music by Errollyn Wallen; Musical Director and Conductor, Andrea Brown and directed by Jenny Sealey. This opera was performed by members of the BBC Concert Orchestra to bring this extraordinary woman out of the shadows to reclaim her place in the spotlight of music history.
All performances creatively integrate BSL, captioning and audio description.
Supported by
Supported by Arts Council England, The Vision Foundation, The Cockayne Foundation. Garfield Weston Foundation, MK Community Foundation and UNESCO Club Vienna. Thanks also go to the many people that donated to make this project happen.
Warnings:
Trigger warnings:
The Paradis Files contains references to some distressing topics, including:
- Physical violence
- Sexual abuse
- Baby loss
- Bereavement
- Ableism
- Graphic depictions of 18th century ‘cures’ for blindness, including compression of the optic nerve, bleeding with pins and electric shock
Snippet from rehearsals
Audio
Listen to the Audio Flyer by Selina Mills
BSL
Watch the BSL Flyer
Testimonials
1 / 4
People
The Cast
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Maureen Brathwaite
Hilde, The Baroness von ParadisMaureen Brathwaite
Hilde, The Baroness von Paradis -
Omar Ebrahim
Joseph, The Baron von Paradis / A Doctor / Baritone GossipOmar Ebrahim
Joseph, The Baron von Paradis / A Doctor / Baritone Gossip -
Andee-Louise Hypolite
A Doctor / Alto GossipAndee-Louise Hypolite
A Doctor / Alto Gossip -
Bethan Langford
Maria Theresia von ParadisBethan Langford
Maria Theresia von Paradis -
Ella Taylor
Gerda, The Maid / Soprano GossipElla Taylor
Gerda, The Maid / Soprano Gossip -
Ben Thapa
Salieri / A Doctor / Tenor GossipBen Thapa
Salieri / A Doctor / Tenor Gossip -
Chandu Gopalakrishnan
Performance InterpreterChandu Gopalakrishnan
Performance Interpreter -
Max Marchewicz
Performance InterpreterMax Marchewicz
Performance Interpreter
People
The Creatives
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Errollyn Wallen
MusicErrollyn Wallen
Music -
Andrea Brown
Musical Director and ConductorAndrea Brown
Musical Director and Conductor -
Jenny Sealey
DirectorJenny Sealey
Director -
Nicola Werenowska
LibrettistNicola Werenowska
Librettist -
Selina Mills
Co-Librettist and Original IdeaSelina Mills
Co-Librettist and Original Idea -
Bernadette Roberts
DesignerBernadette Roberts
Designer -
Emma Chapman
Lighting DesignerEmma Chapman
Lighting Designer -
Ben Glover
Video DesignerBen Glover
Video Designer -
Sonny Nwachukwu
Assistant DirectorSonny Nwachukwu
Assistant Director -
Sarah Playfair
Casting DirectorSarah Playfair
Casting Director -
Bill Bankes-Jones
DramaturgBill Bankes-Jones
Dramaturg