Vear, C 2011, Composition portfolio : towards intermedia, sound theatre and digital opera , PhD thesis, University of Salford.

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Abstract

This research programme was a practice-led investigation into the interrelationship between composition, digital technology and intermedia performance. Within the first year of this investigation Superfield [Mumbai] (2009) expanded on the intellectual ideas surrounding the notion of a Theatre of Sound and developed Sound Theatre: an experimental intermedia performance concept combining field recordings and live computer music; the mental 'seeing' evoked from sound and a theatre performance environment. One specific element developed through this piece was the collaboration between computer-performer and human-performer, augmenting the composition-performance relationship and leading to the theoretical concepts of wholeness, dimensionality and embeddedness. These ideas were interrogated through The Cape Jeremy Affair (2010), which investigated the meaning of the laptop as an autonomous performer alongside human musicians, and incorporated a 'phenomenology' of listening as it relates to music and performance embodiment. Over a period of many months these concepts were developed and became the core philosophical and theoretical argument of this programme. Each new insight was embedded into the compositional process with questions of phenomenology, performance environment, and audience engagement becoming of primary importance. Towards the end of this investigation it became apparent that this programme might be heading into areas that would traditionally be described as "opera", but without containing any of the elements one might associate with the traditional 'recipe'. The final project X\ Sentimental Journey (2011) addressed this issue, expanded on all the previous concepts, enlarged the ensemble, engaged with networking computer systems and focussed on a Total compositional/ experiential paradigm.

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