DONNA DIVA TV – streaming Sound of Ghent

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DONNA DIVA TV – streaming Sound of Ghent

The Sound of Ghent was back on the air this past weekend for the next installment of Donna Diva TV.

Episode 3

Where did we leave off at the end of episode 2? Donna Diva wants to go back to Luciano in 1970.
Mezzo-soprano Helene Bracke, pianist Wouter van Ginste, and Anton Cohen continue spinning the thread in this wild adventure and pave the way to opera, an art form still widely described as elitist. The pretentious and intellectual veneer is stripped away. With unbridled imagination, Dr. Coppelius's OPERAtional time machine guides audiences from 6 to 99 years old through time and space, to both the past and the future. Amid all the chaos, the story is funny and touching.

Here's how the synopsis goes. Donna Diva takes the helm. Passionate and pragmatic, she breaks all the rules. Without Dr. Coppelius's knowledge, she operates the tele-time machine herself. How reckless! To her surprise, the tele-time machine has dropped her in a desolate, sterile white landscape. In the distance, she spots a figure. Upon closer acquaintance, the man tells her that she's landed in the future—specifically the year 2970, not 1970! A bit of panic sets in! He tells her he's been listening to the best music of all time through SCAM, a computer program that works with algorithms.

Clear parallels are drawn with today's world. When he learns that Donna Diva stands before him, he puts her on a pedestal—he's completely starstruck: "You're not just my idol but that of many, a singer and diva like you no longer exists." Of course, that flatters her ego. Through a purple tunnel, he grants her a glimpse into the recent past... the year 2525. Art has become barren wasteland. Due to excessive reliance on computers, emotion has drained from the world, people can't create anything themselves, and creativity is completely dead. Again, here are connections to pandemic emptiness and boredom. Shaken by this sobering image, Donna Diva longs to return to her safe cocoon with Dr. Coppelius.

A commercial break builds the tension. Since she's missed her great love Luciano, Donna Diva sings a melancholic song upon her return. Dr. Coppelius feels her pain. This episode is technically clever in its construction. The whole thing is wrapped in an atmospheric soundscape that plays with electronic elements.

Episode 4

Donna Diva manages to persuade Dr. Coppelius to flash her back to Luciano one more time. Dr. Coppelius agrees on one condition: to say 'a final goodbye.' Done and done. Now the focus shifts to Dr. Coppelius himself. He's in love with Donna Diva. He created the OPERAtional time machine for her so she could realize her dream of singing opera. Alone in his lab, he sings of his love for the unreachable diva. A commercial spot promotes the Donna Diva pillow. Free with purchase: Donna Diva socks, wine, and cheese.

Flashed back, Donna Diva is in a state. Her great love Luciano has already hooked another diva, with whom he sings a duet: the legendary soprano Joan Sutherland, an old recording of whom is shown. In Italy, she earned the nickname La Stupenda (The Magnificent) for her performances. Betrayed, Luciano has fallen from his pedestal. Dr. Coppelius comforts her: "Luciano doesn't deserve you!" He's on the verge of confessing his love when Mozart appears via telegramophone. The existential loneliness of humans and their vulnerability in the search for ideal love comes across beautifully. This also resonates with what society is experiencing. To wrap up episode four, a karaoke session is announced. Under pressure, Donna Diva sings the song 'Luciano' one more time. With exaggerated eye rolls and face-pulling, she shows that she's not at all pleased.

I do miss some of the famous opera arias a bit in episodes 3 and 4. There is, as in all operas, a score, characters, a plot, and orchestration. In every score there's someone to long for, a horizon to disappear behind. Hopefully, with Mozart's appearance in the coming episodes, opera arias will be featured again. Overall, well executed. The belly laughs and sneaky little giggles on the children's faces at the antics of the characters are definitely there. Antics that might inspire them and parents who clearly enjoy sharing in the attention and pleasure their children take in discovering what the word 'opera' really means.

WHAT: Sound of Ghent
ORGANIZATION: Flanders Festival Ghent
PHOTOS: © Ghent Festival of Flanders

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DONNA DIVA TV – streaming Sound of Ghent

Viviane Redant

Graduated from the Higher Institute for Dramatic Art Studio Herman Teirlinck, subsequently studied dramaturgy at UAntwerp. Performed in numerous Flemish and Dutch theater companies, TV series and films. Worked as director-announcer for Radio 3, 1, World Broadcasts and Night Radio. Ran an hour-long interview program on the independent radio station Spes 'Surrender' for many years where artists came to talk about their passion. Presented concerts, congresses and symposia. Worked as a copywriter for the Royal Ballet of Flanders, Cultural Center Strombeek and Westrand and program booklets for the Kolacny brothers and choreographer Isabelle Beernaert. Interviewed artists for numerous magazines. For Klassiek-Centraal, Viviane reviews musicals and dance from classical to contemporary.