From the genius of Stewart Copeland and with the voice of Irene Grandi,
the most spectacular Rock Opera with immersive video scenography.
World premiere in exclusive at Tones Teatro Natura.

A ROCK OPERA INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

A Tale of witches, persecutions and illusions…

The Witches Seed is a story inspired by vivid legends of the mountain cultures of central Europe and informed by historical trial documents from the bloodiest years of the Inquisition.

In a time of social, spiritual, political and economic crisis due to the spread of the plague and of new heresies, three women are falsely accused of witchcraft, suffering persecutions and tribulations leading to an unexpected reckoning even as the flames rise around them.

Through Inquisitor Buelli’s eyes we see his vision of the rampant evil that these women embody as they whip the villagers into orgiastic frenzy. Bishop Bascapé sees none of this. To him they are just three ordinary, if conspicuously influential women in the village. Their strength, wisdom and relative wealth make them a threat to the established order of medieval power.

It is a story continuously on the edge, that plays Rashomon-like between reality and distorted visions; between characters of history and others of fevered hallucinations.

The protagonists Isabetta, Nele, and Manzinetta have powerful tools at their disposal but will they be enough to save their lives? We know that over the centuries millions of women in Europe suffered atrocious torture and ended up at the stake or the gallows, how will the story end?

SIGNED BY GREAT ARTISTS

The Opera was born from an idea of Maddalena Calderoni, and is the result of the collaboration and creativity of great artists:

Music is by Stewart Copeland. Founder of The Police, a career with over 60 million records sold and 5 Grammy Awards, Stewart has composed scores for films such as Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumble Fish.

The libretto is the work of award-winning British playwright Jonathan Moore, author of many plays for theater, film and the BBC including the famous “Treatment” with Gabriel Byrne.

The singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde, leader of the famous group The Pretenders, is the author of some of the songs featured in the opera interpreted by an extraordinary Irene Grandi.

The direction is entrusted to Manfred Schweigkofler, a character capable of crossing and interpreting the most diverse artistic languages thanks to a unique creativity and innovative approach.

The video sets are created by Edvige Faini, an internationally renowned concept artist who has been collaborating for years with the most prestigious Hollywood production studios and with the most renowned game houses in the world.

Irish conductor Eimear Noone was the first woman in history to be on the podium of the orchestra at the 92nd Academy Awards. Eimear is also the composer of some video game soundtracks such as World of Warcraft, amongst the best-selling in the world.