Rafael R. VILLALOBOS & Xavier SABATA
GENIUS LOCI
THE SPIRIT OF A LOST GARDEN
Genius Loci is a unique stage performance that invites the audience to lose themselves in an imaginary garden. Inspired by the captivating book The Lost Garden (Elba, 2018) by Jorn de Précy, the show offers a sensory experience: an intimate journey into an inner universe where logic fades away and beauty hides in shadows and silences.
Directed by regisseur Rafael R. Villalobos and featuring renowned countertenor Xavier Sabata, this scenic journey reflects on nature, the fear of change and the spirituality that resides within chaos.
With a musical programme spanning from the Renaissance to the 20th century, featuring works by John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten and John Williams, Genius Loci plays with time, voice and soundscape to bring to life the figure of a solitary, visionary gardener who might, in fact, be a reflection of ourselves.
In collaboration with theorist Jonas Nordberg, the show is shaped by a poetic staging that involves visual artist Cachito Vallés, creating a timeless atmosphere. It unfolds as a contemporary eclogue: a musical and philosophical digression that speaks to the soul through voice, word and gesture.
An evocative and deeply human experience that invites the audience to contemplate, to lose themselves... only to find themselves again.
Genius Loci is a unique stage performance that invites the audience to lose themselves in an imaginary garden. Inspired by the captivating book The Lost Garden (Elba, 2018) by Jorn de Précy, the show offers a sensory experience: an intimate journey into an inner universe where logic fades away and beauty hides in shadows and silences.
Directed by regisseur Rafael R. Villalobos and featuring renowned countertenor Xavier Sabata, this scenic journey reflects on nature, the fear of change and the spirituality that resides within chaos.
With a musical programme spanning from the Renaissance to the 20th century, featuring works by John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten and John Williams, Genius Loci plays with time, voice and soundscape to bring to life the figure of a solitary, visionary gardener who might, in fact, be a reflection of ourselves.
In collaboration with theorist Jonas Nordberg, the show is shaped by a poetic staging that involves visual artist Cachito Vallés, creating a timeless atmosphere. It unfolds as a contemporary eclogue: a musical and philosophical digression that speaks to the soul through voice, word and gesture.
An evocative and deeply human experience that invites the audience to contemplate, to lose themselves... only to find themselves again.
Mirador
Programme
John ECCLES (1668 – 1735)
Restless in thought
Ralph WILLIAMS (1872 – 1958)
Whither must I wander
Henry PURCELL (1659 – 1695)
Music for a while
John DOWLAND (1563 – 1626)
Flow my tears
Ralph WILLIAMS
Bright is the ring of words
Daniel PURCELL (1664 – 1717)
Morpheus thou gentle
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 – 1976)
Before life and after
Henry PURCELL (1659 – 1695)
O Solitude
If music be
When I am laid
Duration: 80 min
Artistic details
Xavier SABATA, countertenor, actor and co-creator
Jonas NORDBERG, archlute, actor
Liam BYRNE, viola da gamba, electronics
Cachito VALLÉS, visual artist
Rafael R. VILLALOBOS, co-creator, stage director, costume, lighting and set designer
Commission and production by Festival Perelada