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