THE TEMPTATION OF ST. ANTHONY
(or Tony's Troubles)
Created by John Sanborn
“The Temptation of St. Anthony (or Tony’s Troubles)”
written by
Dorian Wallace (music)
John Sanborn (words)
A Tenth Intervention Production
Hajnal Pivnick | producer, artistic director
Dorian Wallace | composer, artistic director
What is Faith without God?
It is a belief in the self, in enlightened consciousness - in order to effect change without direction. We have only our lives with which to act; yet we deny ourselves an objective, to give virtue to a lie. Searching for truth is honorable, but unending. Expressing that truth is the objective of every human, and every artist.
In this modern opera, written by Dorian Wallace and John Sanborn, Tony finds himself able to effect change with his hands, his mind and his soul. For him, the act is the reward. He is not interested in theories, or opinions – for the evidence of his divinity is self-evident. He can makes something out of nothing.
For this he is tempted, tortured and ultimately redeemed. In his reclamation he embraces a rare value – that of force of will. Beyond any rational understanding of “possible” there is potential that defies definition. It is to such purpose that I dedicate this work.
'THE TEMPTATION OF ST. ANTHONY (or Tony's Troubles) is a 35 minute media opera designed to be installed using three screens, three video projectors, and stereo sound.
The work is composed in 7 acts, each asking three basic questions about faith - and answering them differently each time. The language of the libretto is simple and plain spoken, but contains quotes and asides from poets, scholars and popel who inspire me.
The journey is familiar to anyone who yearns for the ability to create, whether that is great communication or a simple step forward. The doubts and temptations come from inside and from without - and their siren song must be denied.
The spectacle is staged across three panels, territories or domains for Tony and the Devil, who are performed in song and dance by parallel figures - mirrors and reactors - caught in an endless tango. This is intentional as the work loops around the three questions of faith, inviting the audience to join or leave as they wish.
'THE TEMPTATION OF ST. ANTHONY (or Tony's Troubles)
CREDITS
A Tenth Intervention Production
Hajnal Pivnick | producer, artistic director, violin
Dorian Wallace | composer, artistic director
Lynn Bechtold | violin
Hannah Levinson | viola
Jisoo Ok | cello
Evan Runyon | bass
Paul Pinto | Tony
Pamela Z | Sal (the devil)
Charlotte Mundy | Kate
The Commons | the Temptations
Nathaniel Adams
Maya Ben-Meir
Danielle Buonaiuto
Chris Norwood
Adam Richardson
Sound/recording engineer
Eric V. Hachikian | Soundcat Productions
Robert Dekkers | Choreography
Christian Squires | Costume design
Dennis Adams | Tony
Anne Zivolich-Adams | Sal
Katherine Wells | Kate
The Commons | the Temptations
Mia Chong
Lani Dickinson
Allie Papazian
Mayo Sugano
Production
Video Free America
Skip Sweeney | Roger Jones
Camera
Wes Middleton | Roger Jones
Support
Vanessa Gilovich | Salvador Torres
Graphics | Animations
Jennifer Baker
Loiez Daniel
Ugur Engin Deniz
Bill Etra
Dallas Jericho
Edited by
John Sanborn