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Voci (Voices) is a full-evening, multimedia performance work exploring the sonic, cultural, physical, and artistic worlds of the voice, celebrating the broad range of colours in the singing voice and speaking voice, and examining scientific and cultural phenomena around the voice and the many metaphors for voice. In addition to Pamela Z's dramatic performance work with voice and live electronic processing, Voci features vivid, tall video projections designed by filmmakers Jeanne Finley and John Muse and a stunning lighting design by Elaine Buckholtz.

Written, composed, and performed by Pamela Z, Voci consists of layered, dynamically varied segments incorporating live electroacoustic vocal work with real-time digital processing, vocal samples (triggered with light and gesture controllers), and video (projected and on monitors). The stage is alive with unexpected visual and auditory transformations, and from time to time, Z performs "virtual duets" with some surprise guests who appear in the form of video samples.

These segments approach voice as anatomy, as character, as identifier, and communicator. Weaving together stories about voice with arias, non-verbal utterances, cries and whispers, choruses of "real" and synthetic voices, and fragments of scientific information, Pamela Z builds a kind of polyphonic mono-opera.

Voci has been performed at ODC Theatre, San Francisco (premiere 2003) the Kitchen NY (2004), and Trafo House, Budapest, Hungary (2006). It is slated for performances at MCA Chicago as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival (November 2006) and WPAS, Washington DC (May 2007).

" Ms. Z, a well-known figure on the international contemporary music circuit, is a wonderfully compelling performer with a lot of range... Ms. Z has created a kind of contemporary-music vaudeville, offering a lot of entertainment, a lot of quality and some fine nuggets to mull over on your way home."

Anne Midgette, NEW YORK TIMES

To see a video excerpt click here: video excerpts

video excerpts

Voci was generously supported by grants from Creative Capital Foundation and the San Francisco Art Commission.

duration: 80 minutes

voice & electronics: Pamela Z

composed by: Pamela Z

Video: Jeanne Finley + John Muse

Lighting & Set Design: Elaine Buckholtz