Welcome to our conservatory performance of The Sound of Music, a beloved and timeless show. The music and narrative exude a sense of optimism and joy. As an artist, I am fascinated by the versatility of artistic concepts across various mediums. One concept that particularly resonates with me for this show is "chiaroscuro," a technique commonly employed in visual art. Chiaroscuro involves the strategic use of shadows and darkness to enhance depth and accentuate details within the illuminated areas.
I believe the reason The Sound of Music stands out so prominently in our minds is because it is juxtaposed against such a somber backdrop. A narrative that combines themes of family, love, hope and faith with the looming threat of Nazi rule in Austria. These shadows serve to enhance the brilliance of this piece's light.
As the director, I faced the challenge of determining the most effective way to portray the shadows in the production. The youth edition successfully preserves a significant portion of the original story and songs while conveying a sense of the looming threat. Although I saw no compelling reason to dress the soldiers in Nazi attire, I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to shed light on the perpetrators of these dark forces and expose their true identities. I felt that neglecting to do so would be a disservice to those who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of this very objective. Aiming for brevity and clarity, I made the decision to incorporate the Nazi swastika, a symbol that, for myself and many others, represents the abhorrent acts associated with the individuals and ideologies behind it.
In conclusion, it has been a genuine pleasure for our team to collaborate in the creation and preparation of this show with our young performers. Their passion for music and eagerness to learn and comprehend the intricacies of the piece have been truly inspiring. We extend our sincere gratitude to the production team, our performers and their families, and Saint Anne's-Belfield School for providing us with the opportunity to share our story on the Grisham Hall stage.
-Xavier Taylor, Director
