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This practice-based research investigates presenting scientific concepts and research on the operatic platform through an interdisciplinary and collaborative process. It focuses on libretti writing and performance, using tools such as anthropomorphism, archetype and mythological characters to engage participants and the audience with the subjects on stage. The work explores how to create an experience which enables a deeper sense of the reality of the science presented, and makes the audience, performers and creative practitioners complicit in the existence of the concepts, or objects, being performed. The performativity of the work is allowed to play a key role in shaping the final piece, as the researcher explores the embodiment of the characters during the process of production towards cyclical presentations of the work. This investigation includes two major collaborative projects in which I participated as librettist, producer and performer: 1. The Flowering Desert. An opera about the discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, written to be performed specifically in planetaria. This involves a collaboration with: composer Daniel Blanco Albert; designer Alexander Kaniewski; filmmaker Tadas Stalyga; projectionist Leon Trimble; and the ThinkTank Planetarium (led by Colin Hutcheson). 2. Lipote: An Interconnected Journey. An opera/musical about deforestation due to intensive agriculture. Set in the soil from the perspective of the roots of trees. This involves a collaboration with: composer Oliver Farrow; jewellery maker Wanshu Li; choreographer Jingya Peng; and sound artist Leon Trimble.

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  • contents
    • Title, Abstract, TOC
    • 1.1 Introduction
    • 1.2.a Science, story and stage
    • 1.2.b Anthropomorphism
    • 1.2.c Archetypal characters, narratives and myths
    • 1.2.d Opera as medium
    • 1.2.e A Brief Survey of Contemporary Related Works
    • 1.3, 1.3.a and 1.3.b Methodology
    • 1.3.c Methodology
    • 2.1 Introduction
    • 2.2 Context of the Research
    • 2.3 Synopsis
    • 2.4 The Characterisation of TRAPPIST-1
    • 2.4.a Using the Plantearium
    • 2.4.b The Flowering Desert as Comedy
    • 2.4.c The Measurer
    • 2.4.d Developing the Character of Planet-e: Pantele
    • 2.4.e Developing the Character of the Exocomet: Xoe
    • 2.5 Film and Libretto
    • 2.4.f Characterising the TRAPPIST-1a Star: The Mother Star
    • 2.6 Conclusion
    • 3.1 Introduction
    • 3.2 Context of the Research
    • 3.3 Synopsis
    • 3.4.a Communication: Influence from the Science
    • 3.4.b Exploring Different Worlds: Panarchy and Adaptive Systems
    • 3.4.c Soil
    • 3.4.d The Fungal Network
    • 3.4.e The Narrator
    • 3.4.f The Humans
    • 3.4.g The Rainforest
    • 3.4.h The Plantation
    • 3.4.i Lipote as the Loner Tree and the "Fiery Edge"
    • 3.4.j The Strangler Fig
    • 3.4.k The Forest Garden (or Taungya) and the Marriage
    • 3.5 Film and Libretto
    • 3.6 Future Steps and Conclusion
    • 4 Conclusion
    • References
    • Ap 1.1 Cycle 1: January-April 2020
    • AP 1.2 Cycle 1: Short Story - The Flowering Desert
    • AP 1.3 Cycle 1: Online Workshops and Outcomes April 2020-February 2021
    • AP 1.4 Cycle 1: Explorations through Performance and Film - March-June 2021
    • AP 1.5 Cycle 2: Leading to the performances in May 2022
    • AP 1.6 Cycle 3 – Final Performance
    • AP 2.1 Cycle 1
    • AP 2.2 Cycle 2
    • AP 2.3 Cycle 3
    • AP 2.4 Cycle 4
    • AP 3.1 Entanglement: An Entropic Tale
    • AP 3.2 In Response to Naum Gabo's Linear Construction in Space No. 1
    • AP 3.3 Autohoodening: The Rise of Captain Swing
    • AP 3.4 The Monk of the River and The Monster of Gao
    • Appendix References
    • Roxanne Korda
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    overview
  • abstract
    This practice-based research investigates presenting scientific concepts and research on the operatic platform through an interdisciplinary and collaborative process. It focuses on libretti writing and performance, using tools such as anthropomorphism, archetype and mythological characters to engage participants and the audience with the subjects on stage. The work explores how to create an experience which enables a deeper sense of the reality of the science presented, and makes the audience, performers and creative practitioners complicit in the existence of the concepts, or objects, being performed. The performativity of the work is allowed to play a key role in shaping the final piece, as the researcher explores the embodiment of the characters during the process of production towards cyclical presentations of the work. This investigation includes two major collaborative projects in which I participated as librettist, producer and performer: 1. The Flowering Desert. An opera about the discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, written to be performed specifically in planetaria. This involves a collaboration with: composer Daniel Blanco Albert; designer Alexander Kaniewski; filmmaker Tadas Stalyga; projectionist Leon Trimble; and the ThinkTank Planetarium (led by Colin Hutcheson). 2. Lipote: An Interconnected Journey. An opera/musical about deforestation due to intensive agriculture. Set in the soil from the perspective of the roots of trees. This involves a collaboration with: composer Oliver Farrow; jewellery maker Wanshu Li; choreographer Jingya Peng; and sound artist Leon Trimble.
  • Roxanne Korda - ‘LIBRETTISING’ SCIENCE: Using operatic narrative and performance to re-present scientific thought in an investigation of new methods towards developing contemporary opera. - 2024
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Chapter 2 - 'Librettising' Astrophysics to create The Flowering Desert


2.1 Introduction


2.2 Context of the Research
2.2.a The TRAPPIST-1 Planetary System
2.2.a.i Detecting Exoplanetary Systems

2.3 Synopsis

2.4 The Characterisation of TRAPPIST-1
2.4.a Using the Planetarium
2.4.b The Flowering Desert as Comedy
2.4.c The Measurer
2.4.c.i The Arc of the Measurer
2.4.c.ii Reflections and Response to Performance and Feedback
2.4.d Developing the Character of Planet-e: Pantele
2.4.d.i Pantele's Shadow and Self
2.4.d.ii Pantele's Traumas
2.4.d.iii Collaborative Development of Pantele
2.4.e Developing the Character of the Exocomet Xoe
2.4.e.i Developing Xoe through Collaboration and Performance
2.4.f Characterising the TRAPPIST-1a Star: The Mother Star
2.4.f.i Considering the direct use of data in creating the Mother Star

2.5 Film and Libretto

2.6 Conclusion

 
<-- Title, Abstract & Table of Contents
<-- The Flowering Desert: Characterising the TRAPPIST-1a Star: The Mother Star 

2.5 Film and Libretto


Please now see the full film of the dress rehearsal in January 2023 alongside the final libretto. The film is split into two videos: first half and second half. 

First Half

Second Half

Libretto
The Flowering Desert: Conclusion -->