The performance, titled The Joy of Life, is an inclusive, multi-sensory co-creation in five scenes featuring a quartet, performers and a video orchestra. It aims to celebrate life itself, exploring the following questions: How do you celebrate life? What do you celebrate with your life? What enables us to celebrate life? What would you do if it were the last day on Earth?

THE MUSIC

Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli, The joy of life
Inspired by The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
Scene I – Italy, Symphonic Overture, Mama Erde
Scene II – Finland
Scene III – Czech Republic
Scene IV – Greece
Scene V – Mosaic
Interludes – Misty Promenade

DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENES

Scene I

“Mama Erde” means “Mother Earth” in German. In this scene, the protagonists are the orchestra, featured in a video, and the music created specifically by Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli for this project. This music
speaks of the joy of being human, of existing and living on this Earth. The music comes from the earth, it has a texture, it’s something solid and real.
When we listen to this melody, we can imagine colors, images, or even smells, as if the music were speaking to our senses. This piece opens the show and presents many musical ideas that will be explored and transformed in the following musical scenes. Music is like a journey that makes us feel and experience many emotions. Let’s get ready to set off on this journey!

Scene II

“Breaking the Ice” is a scene that combines energetic music, visual magic, and the beauty of humanity. This magical moment is set in an imaginary Finnish forest, where a solitary Stone meets a playful and lively Fairy. The dancers’ delicate and powerful interaction reflects contrasts and a shared journey toward understanding and acceptance. The scene addresses acceptance, trust, finding common ground, and growing together. “Breaking the Ice” is a moment where friendship awakens as the enchanting Fairy and
the solitary Stone discover the beauty of understanding and acceptance, highlighted by captivating visual effects using CyMagic technology, which makes the music visual.

Scene III

“Joy of Life”. This act unfolds in the human world, where a grand celebration is taking place—perhaps an opulent wedding festivity. Inspired and enchanted by the ancient Song of Songs, one of the most exquisite
and evocative lyrical texts in world literature, we sought to capture the timeless essence of human love—its longing, devotion, and the sheer joy of union. Yet, as with all human encounters, anticipation is never without a touch of curiosity, nervousness, and even a flicker of doubt. And so, our story unfolds: guests cautiously sizing each other up, the feverish rush of preparations, and a chaotic wedding revelry where even the table itself trembles with excitement. But amid the commotion, a longing for harmony emerges. At last, the officiant completes the ritual flawlessly. Love prevails.
The moment has arrived—the happiest day of their lives, a ceremony of love and unity, can finally begin.

Scene IV

A long time ago, before time even began, six creatures woke up in an empty space. They didn’t know where they belonged, so they started to move like kids running barefoot. As they moved, they created a world. They began to remember what it felt like to love, to move, and to feel. Like dust floating in the air, they were united by their movements, like wind blowing or water flowing. They connected to everything that makes life happen—the flowers, leaves, soil, sand, stones, waves, colors, stars, and plants—They are life.

Scene V

Four different cultures come together, each adding something special to the main idea. The separate stories, with their unique characters and views, now join together to create one big celebration. The characters
meet, move together, and play as one group. Rhythm, movement, and how each body is different become the ways the characters connect in a fun and joyful celebration of life.

Interludes

Each scene is interspersed with music titled Misty Promenade.

ITALIAN TEAM

ORCHESTRA (on video)
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini

CONDUCTOR (on video)
Antonio De Lorenzi

COMPOSER
Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli

MUSICIANS
In Parma and in Thessaloniki
Mihaela Costea- violin
Sara Screpis – viola
Claudio Saguatti – double bass
Gabriele Genta – percussions

MUSICIANS
In Prague and in Tampere
Anna Follia Jordan – violin
Carmen Condur – viola
Michele Valentini – double bass
Gabriele Genta – percussions

LIS PERFORMERS
In Parma
Francesca Fantauzzi
Martina Romano

FINNISH TEAM

PERFORMERS
Silja Ruonala
Lila Pihlajamaa
Wärjäämö artists (in Tampere)

VISUAL ARTIST
Mordechai Braunstein

CHOREOGRAPHY
workgroup led by Kirsi Mustalahti

CZECH TEAM

PERFORMERS
In Parma
Petr Korpas, Robin Stron,
Jan Pellar, Vera Stehlikova,
Vendula Burger

In Thessaloniki
Jan Pellar, Robin Stron,
Magdalena Prazakova,
Vendula Burger

In Prague
Petr Korpas, Robin Stron
Jan Pellar, Magdalena
Prazakova, Vera Stehlikova
David Konopac, Borek Tuma
Vendula Burger

In Tampere
Petr Korpas, Robin Stron
Jan Pellar, Magdalena Prazakova
Vendula Burger

CHOREOGRAPHY
Vendula Burger, Ivana Hessova

IDEA & DRAMATURGY
Vendula Kodetova

GREEK TEAM

PERFORMERS
Mixalis Ntolopoulos,
Loxandra Lucas,
Theocharis Bairaktarides
Alekos Xatzios, Panos Matziris
Myriam Sofia Artzenidou

CHOREOGRAPHY
Vitoria Kotsalou

LIGHT DESIGNER
Richard Anthony