The ‘Fantastique’ Orchestration of Puppets
When I was looking for something to write about regarding Berlioz’ ‘Symphonie Fantasique’, I wanted to draft something that truly displayed and almost visualized the whimsical yet rich orchestrations that Berlioz composed.
I suddenly came across an article that was titled “PUPPETRY Basil Twist’s Symphonie fantastique”, attached below. After reading the article, I was fascinated by the piece.
What I learned from this article was that like Berlioz, Twist’s production was incredibly unique as it was “‘an abstract underwater puppet show”. Meaning, that most of the puppets were in these underwater tanks flowing through water. This underwater puppet show gives the effect of “a dazzling visual homage to aural romantic obsession.” Like Berlioz initial “Symphonie Fantastique” premeire, Twist’s was a great success when it premiered, as its reception was extremely positive, and that it felt like an incredibly fresh idea and approach on a classic piece of music. The way it was being depicted made me infer that this production would be like a visual interpretation of the glorious orchestrations that were brilliantly written by Berlioz, as well as a captivating visual premiere in its own right, as puppeteering is so unique and quite frankly very inventive. I was so nervous that I would not find a video online of the original premiere. Luckily, I found a revival production and premiere preview performed by Basil Twist himself on YouTube.
Below are two videos, one the short preview of Twist’s performance, and the other a ten-minute introduction to Twist’s puppeteering process (on land).
After watching the above videos and reading the article, what struck me the most is that Basil Twist describes the performance with the fabric puppets as being very elemenatry, yet powerful. As they flow through water the audience is taken on what can be equated to a psychedelic experience, accompanying Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique”…or vice versa.
When I think about and discuss Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique”, the first word that comes to mind is orchestration. Therefore, what I found so interesting in researching Twist’s ‘Fantastisque’ Puppet Show is that the “Symphonie Fantastique” is played live on only a piano.
That’s right!
Just a piano for Berlioz’ orchestral masterpiece. I think Basil Twist made this decision firstly due to the cost and spacial restrictions of having a full orchestra play live, but secondly, I think Twist wanted his imaginative and whimsical puppets to be the stars of the show. I think Twist was using the puppets somewhat like instruments to Berlioz’ whimsical composition.
It is obvious why Twist’s “Symphonie Fantastique” was so well recieved. When Berlioz initially premiered “Symphonie Fantastique” the instruments were like characters in the whimisical and wonderous composition. I think this same idea was applied in Twist’s premiere and production, making it feel inspired and moving. The simple, sometimes eel-like, fabrics are like his characters as they emotionally move through the music. Twist’s ensemble of puppets can be equated to an orchestra; all the pieces and sections and colors polyphonically converging to create something truly magical that adds to the legacy of Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique”.
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