Project
Voices that tell history
VOICES brings together personal memories from outstanding artists, making the history of music from 1945 to the present immediately tangible.
Music moves us. It awakens hidden emotions, fills empty spaces and gives us hope. For some, it is a way of communicating with our ancestors; for others, a gift from the gods.
Seventy voices from today’s worlds of music and theatre share moments too beautiful not to be told. They recall musical experiences that shaped their lives—whether as an initial spark or as a guiding influence during their careers. Internationally renowned artists bring the history of music and opera to life through their memories, making it tangible for us all. What inspired them to pursue this profession? What drew them towards music?
Illustrated with 440 photographs, this unique book sheds light on important milestones in music history that have also shaped us. VOICES offers insights into artists’ life stories. Outstanding performers describe encounters with colleagues and celebrated figures from the music and theatre worlds. They also open a window onto their private lives: making music at home with their families, their social backgrounds, and sensitive subjects such as setbacks, fears, long-awaited recognition and the discovery of their own voice. This remarkable volume presents the history of the period from 1945 to the present through personal accounts.
The texts are based on conversations conducted by Christine Cerletti and Thomas Voigt during the pandemic in 2021/22, or were written by the artists themselves. From many different perspectives, they show how the stage can become an emotional space. Their stories are music history told from a personal point of view. The desire to share is extraordinarily strong. One truth remains after the rupture caused by the pandemic: (music) theatre is about closeness.
