Operadicals

Tone Åse (NO): Voice, live electronics, composition.
Franziska Baumann (CH): Voice, live electronics, composition.
Alex Nowitz (DE): Voice, live electronics, composition.
Sten Sandell (SE): Voice, piano, composition.

Formed through the initiative of Alex Nowitz at the DESIGNING VOICES festival in Berlin in 2021, OPERADICALS presents an innovative approach to vocal performance.

Sten Sandell, an accomplished composer and performer from Sweden, incorporates piano and organ into his performances, seamlessly integrating his voice into his artistic practice. In contrast, Tone Åse, Franziska Baumann, and Alex Nowitz explore the possibilities of their voices through gesture-controlled live electronics and diverse sampling techniques. This creative blend results in captivating audio and visual experiences. Their unique sonic landscapes are made possible in part by their custom-designed sensor-based instruments, tailored to their individual needs, and the refined performance techniques they've developed over the years. Franziska Baumann's 'Sensorglove,' Alex Nowitz's 'Strophonion,' and Tone Åse's 'Genki Wave Rings' each require distinct movements to produce sounds and tones.

Building upon these innovations, the quartet skillfully weaves together polyglot vocal components, forming a breathtaking kaleidoscope of novel, abstract vocal landscapes. This artistic approach is at the core of the ensemble's name, reflecting their exploration of contemporary radical opera.

A particularly appealing aspect of the Vocal Quartet is their commitment to sharing their expertise as vocal artists, composers, and educators with choirs. They actively collaborate with choirs, devising concepts to enhance their performances.