Toni Castells - Life from Light

"Life from Light is a unique live experience that could well have been a collaboration between Sigur Rós and Puccini." Kings Place

"'Life from Light' took the name from the first episode of the BBC’s How to Grow a Planet documentary series from a couple of years ago. 'Life from Light' explores the increasingly complex relationship between humans and Earth, the challenges of a changing climate, the development of ‘playing God’ science and the fluidity of spirituality and sexuality." Chris Lockie at The Londonist

In a series of studies in 2005 and 2006, researchers at the University of Michigan found that when misinformed people, particularly political partisans, were exposed to corrected facts in news stories, they rarely changed their minds. In fact, they often became even more strongly set in their beliefs. Facts, they found, were not curing misinformation. Like an underpowered antibiotic, facts could actually make misinformation stronger. In that scenario composer Toni Castells believes that the only way to save the world is not though preaching, but though experiences. And Life from Light is meant to be one of those experiences.

Combining Toni's unique blend of electronic music, classical and opera and under the direction of American visual artist Jonas K Lord, Toni has readapted the work since its first premiere at Union Chapel in London in 2012. Toni tries to take opera to its original intention: contemporary, using the latest technologies and in a way connected to people, to everyone.

It will feature award-winning soprano Meeta Raval (Welsh National Opera), Classical Brit nominee Camilla Kerslake, X-Factor finalist Roberta Howett and countertenor Oliver Gerrish. They will be accompanied by a 10-strong ensemble featuring, amongst others, Cuban jazz trumpeter Yelfris Valdes, award-winning electronic producer Adam John Williams, harpist Cristina de Bernardo (HNK Opera and Ballet Theatre), violinist and Erhu player Amy Yuan and Toni Castells himself displaying his multi-instrumentalist skills. Two performances will be given in Hall One at Kings Place London as part of the 2014 Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival.