The Barbican Centre in London is organizing an opera to help viewers relax, by which we don't mean nod off: Lost In Thought, composed by pianist Rolf Hind, will encourage its audience to meditate, engage in yoga and even share in vegan food throughout its four hour performance (from Classical-Music.com).
This isn't a sales ploy to attract new age audiences to the theatre. Hind took up meditation and thanks to the benefits he's been trying to work it into his music for wider viewership. He wrote and premiered the Sit, Stand, Walk clarinet concerto during 2011, and he has taught the concept of "mindfulness" at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
"The practice of meditating has brought an enormous amount to my life and music-making," the conductor told The Guardian near the debut of Sit, Stand, Walk. "A sense of clarity and control, less neurosis about ambitions and 'career,' greater efficiency, awareness and body sense as a pianist. As a composer, I'm more in touch with the sources of my own creativity."
Whether that concept applies as an opera will be seen during Lost In Thought, which Barbican describes as the world's first "mindfulness opera." Hind wrote both music and the production, both inspired by Buddhism according to The Times of London. Just seven musicians will be involved in the performance (as we imagined, less is more when attempting to achieve a meditative state), directed by Frederic Wake-Walker. Attendees will be able to "interact" with the musicians, although it's not clarified what that means.
"Over the course of four hours [audiences will be taken] on an inner journey of mindfulness with periods of meditation, rest, communal eating and a gentle yoga session," reads a statement from the Barbican.
The show will premiere as part of the Barbican's 2015-'16 season.
