PRODUCTIONS contratemps
A FUSION OF MUSIC AND LIVE ART!
Let yourself be surprised...
“Contratemps transforms Vivaldi’s timeless Four Seasons into a flowing river of inventiveness, indeed a breath of fresh air. For in the end, a true classic belongs to us all, and there is no finer tribute than to revisit it, to rekindle its spirit, and to celebrate it with joy.” — Núvol
Ensemble Contratemps
Introduction
First on the list of classic hits is undoubtedly “Le quattro stagioni,” and for a great reason! Our innovative Contratemps version of Vivaldi’s famous Seasons is “a river of inventiveness, originality and light“! (Núvol).
In one hour of music, we present movements from the original Seasons, but our unique instrumentation (adding flutes, oboe, viola da gamba, and voice), along with live painting, bring out the animal sounds, storms, and celebrations that Vivaldi so wanted to portray.
Additionally, we have included arias and movements from other Vivaldi concertos that sound eerily familiar; in fact, he copied from time to time and several themes we now know from the Seasons, he originally composed for other earlier operas or concerts, such as the first movement of Spring, which is very similar to a symphony from his earlier opera Il Giustino.
“An operatic pasticcio completely in tune with the spirit of its time… This new vision—at moments wild, at others wistful—invited the audience to shed their mental corset and let themselves be swept away by a stream of imagination, originality, and light!” — NÚVOL
Musical Colours
Inspired by Vivaldi’s vibrant musical colors, a painter joins the Contratemps ensemble onstage, bringing each season to life through live art. As the musicians perform Vivaldi’s legendary score, he paints in real time, offering the audience a unique visual companion created especially for this concert.
Working in harmony with the music, the painter follows its rhythms and emotions, allowing each movement to guide his brush. As the seasons unfold, they transform into shifting colors and shapes that mirror the atmosphere and character of the music.
This artistic fusion invites the audience to witness how sound becomes image, revealing four works of art shaped by the feelings and stories Vivaldi sought to convey. The painter’s strokes—sometimes soft and fluid, sometimes intense or dramatic—reflect his emotional response to each passage, deepening the audience’s connection to the music.
The program features not only beloved moments from the original Four Seasons, but also striking selections from Vivaldi’s instrumental concertos and arias from his operas—pieces that often feel uncannily familiar. The heart of each season remains, enriched with subtle variations that echo the ever-changing cycle of the year.
Artistic Team
Farran Sylvan James, concertino
Known for her infectious energy and improvisational spirit, Farran Sylvan James leads numerous ensembles of all sizes with her signature virtuosic style. After completing her Master’s degree in Performance in New York (Stony Brook University and The Juilliard School), she has performed around the world both as a soloist and concertmaster with renowned ensembles such as Ayre Español, Vespres d’Anardi, Bach Consort Wien, Café Zimmermann, and Quartet Albada, among others.
She is frequently invited to appear as concertmaster and director with leading period orchestras including Vespres d’Anardí, Orquestra Barroca Catalana, Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla, Orquestra 1750, and the Orquestra Illa de Menorca. Farran Sylvan James has performed in many of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls, including the Musikverein (Vienna), the Palau de la Música (Barcelona), the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), and the Teatro Real (Madrid), and has toured extensively throughout Russia, Asia, North America, and across Europe.
Alongside her work as a performer, she enjoys exploring other forms of expression. She is the founder of MuOM, an ensemble dedicated to harmonic singing, which explores the potential of the human voice through the creation of original music.
Quim Moya, artista plàstic
Quim Moya (Barcelona, 1975) is a trained designer and illustrator with experience in various studios and publications. Over the years, he has built a distinguished career as a visual creator and cultural manager, working across the public, private, and associative sectors.
He has served as a cultural officer for the Ajuntament de Sallent, coordinator of the educational program for the Identitat project, and is co-director of the Cal Gras Artists’ Residency in Avinyó. He is also an advisor and trainer in the field of arts education, where he brings a creative and cross-disciplinary perspective.
He is a member of the artistic collectives Estràbic, Càndida, and Pentanomi Fantàstic, from which he leads projects that combine art, education, and social transformation.
Art en viu...
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