Ellen Allien Auraa (2020)

Inspired by the foggy San Francisco Bay, Long String Instrument master Ellen Fullman and cellist Theresa Wong unfurl elliptical tonal changes and anxiously resonant dissonance that feels like being stranded at the end of the earth.

The history of opera is inseparably linked with the biographies of singers; audiences have always been fascinated by both musical prowess and behind the scenes goings-on. The battle for prestige and fame was heated and passionate in the Baroque era, with legendary rivalries. Fiercely competitive, Cuzzoni and Bordoni were among the most acclaimed divas of the age, resorting to fisticuffs on stage. Present-day prima donnas Genaux, Prina, Nesi and Basso now follow in the footsteps of their fervid predecessors, presenting on disc a tongue-in-cheek survey of standout arias for mezzo soprano and contralto.

"Avalon is inspired by an ancient Celtic myth of an island in dense fog where the Holy Grail is said to be located, King Arthur is buried and where Excalibur is hidden. I use it as a metaphor for the present time in which we live in which it is not clear to anyone what the world will look like after the pandemic. The single Avalon is a dreamy piece of music that is also used for the exhibition in De Fundatie that will run until the spring of 2021."

Peter Bence has attracted a worldwide following for his signature style, passion and unique approach to chart-topping songs, transformed through his virtuosic, percussive arrangements.