The 9th!

The 9th! is a 21st century perspective on Beethoven’s 9th Symphony which explores social and political themes through the visceral experience expressed by Beethoven’s music and performed with the company’s intense physicality.

Inspired by the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, Campanella and Glumbek explore walls, both literal and figurative, and their continued symbolism in contemporary social and political discourse. Beethoven’s monumental masterpiece, Symphony No. 9, is a pure and direct masterwork of communication that never becomes banal; a victory for humanity which builds upon bonds between “brothers and sisters” who come together in joy, freedom, unity and love.

Premiered in 2019 at the Fleck Theatre, Toronto.

Music: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)

Choreography: Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek

Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan

Costumes: Krista Dowson-Spiker

Digital Graphic Design: Screen Industry Research and Training Centre (SIRT) in collaboration with OccupiedVR

SIRT Director: David Dexter

Research Project Specialist: Bronwyn MacDowell

Jr. Project Coordinator: Cindy Cardozo

Virtual Production Lead: Spencer Idenouye

Production Lead: Jason Hunter

Jr. Film Production Specialist: Kevin Santos