Purchase tickets to “Right in the Eye” HERE
If the imagination were to become manifest, it would not be surprising if it took the form of cinematographer George Méliès. “Right in the Eye” introduces audiences to the wonderful world of Méliès, performing at the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center on Thursday, February 24 as a continuation of their 2021-22 Subscription Series. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth (18 and under) and BHSU students.
“Right in the Eye” is the brainchild of composer-scenographer Jean-François Alcoléa, who has created a magical production in which an evocative musical score complements Méliès silent films. A trio of virtuoso musicians perform live as the films are projected, becoming actors themselves as they conjure music from an extraordinary array of instruments including piano and guitar, but also oddities like the aquaphone, theremin and glockenspiel, and more mundane objects like stemware, circular saws and take-out lids.
“Right in the Eye” adds a wealth of timbres and musical color to the technical wizardry and hilarity of Méliès’ films. According to Alcoléa, “The music does not accompany the images, instead it forms a whole with the film.”
“Méliès took his place in history as the father of special effects and his gifts changed the course of cinema,” says Darren Granaas, executive director at the Matthews. “As a former stage magician, Méliès was able to use his knowledge of illusion to mystify movie audiences and his ‘tricks of the trade’ are still admired today.”
Contemporary artists across genres have found themselves inspired by Méliès’ work. Everyone from Martin Scorsese, with his 2011 film “Hugo,” to musicians like Smashing Pumpkins and Queen have used Méliès as a touchpoint. Even actor and director Tom Hanks dedicated an episode of his series “From the Earth to the Moon,” juxtaposing Méliès’ visions with Apollo 17, the last manned moon landing.
“We are excited to bring this type of performance to the Black Hills,” Granaas continues. “When you add the grandeur of Méliès’ films to the creativity of Alcoléa’s compositions, you end up with a production that truly inspires the imagination.”
Granaas added that a community residency will be held in the Spearfish area before the performance at the Matthews. “We love having the opportunity to share our performers with the community.”
The next subscription event at The Matthews is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which will be performed by The National Players. The comedy will be presented on Thurday, March 31. For additional information or to learn about more upcoming events, visit www.matthewsopera.com.
