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Either a well-performed music concert or an overwhelming film can deeply touch the hearts of the audience. A combination of both will definitely be an unforgettable event.

The international renowned vocal ensemble "Anonymous 4" will perform Richard Einhorn's new work "Voices of Light", together with local vocalists, namely Katusha Tsui-Fraser (Soprano), Cynthia Luff (Messo-Soprano), Alex Tam (Tenor), Michael Rippon (Bass) and the Opera Society of Hong Kong under the baton of Lucinda Carver, the Music Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will play live accompaniment. "Voices of Light" will be staged simultaneously with the acclaimed silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" by Carl Dreyer at 7:30pm on May 19 and 20 (Friday and Saturday) and 3pm on May 20 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.

Hailed as one of the greatest film in the 20th century, the history of "The Passion of Joan of Arc" was also an amazing story as well as the play. Produced in 1928 by Carl Dreyer, cast by Renee Falconetti and financed by the French Societe Generale, the original screenplay was written by Joseph Delteil. For one reason or another, Dreyer chose to forgo most of the Delteil's ideas and instead used actual excerpts from the trial transcripts as the script. The film, which is set entirely at Joan's trial and burning, compresses the historical action from seven months into a single day. With its extreme close-ups and bizarre camera angels, with an editing rhythm that breaks nearly every rule of the craft, it makes every movie critic and scholar's short list of masterpieces.

A few months after its premiere, unfortunately, the negative and virtually all prints of "The Passion of Joan of Arc" were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Dreyer, referring in all likelihood to his workprint for the original cut, reconstructed the entire film from outtake footage that had survived the fire. The second version was dramatically destroyed in a second fire. The devastated Dreyer gave up and moved on to his next film.

In 1991, an incredible circumstance happened in Oslo, Norway. A nearly perfect copy of "The Passion of Joan of Arc" was found in the back of a closet at a mental institution. The accompanying shipping information made it clear that it was a print of the original version of Dreyer's great film.

Richard Einhorn's "Voices of Light" was a stand-alone work that would speak to various aspects of Joan's life and legend, though it was inspired by the film "The Passion of Joan of Arc". The libretto is a montage of ancient writings, assembled primarily from female medieval mystics including Joan of Arc herself. The piece explores the patchwork of emotions and thoughts that are stitched together into the motion of a female hero.

After six years to put together, "Voices of Light/ The Passion of Joan of Arc" was premiered at Northhampton Arts Council, Massachusetts in 1994. It then has had over 50 sold-out performances throughout cities in the US and Europe. The classical CD of "Voices of Light" was named "Record of the Year" and was the seven-week Billboard classical bestseller. It also receives widespread critical praise for its integrity, emotional depth and craft from mass media all over the world.

Born in 1952, Einhorn graduated summa cum laude in music from Columbia University. Before turning his attention exclusively to composition, he worked as a record producer for many artists. His production of the Bach Cello Suites with Yo-yo Ma won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Performance.

Established in 1986, Anonymous 4 has become renowned for its astonishing vocal blend and technical virtuoso. The four women ensemble combine musical, literary and historical scholarship with 20th century performance intuition as they create innovative programmes, interweaving music with poetry and narrative. They have performed in different cities in Europe and the US. Their recordings have sold nearly one million copies worldwide, all have reached the top ten on Billboard's classical chart.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, tickets priced at $430, $280 and $130 are now available at all URBTIX outlets with half price concession for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full time students. A 10% discount is also available for the Friends of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Due to the fact that there will be no break in the programme, audience is strongly advised to arrive punctually. No latecomer will be admitted during the performance.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2734 2935 while ticketing enquiries and reservations on 2734 9009.

End/Thursday, March 30, 2000

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