Sven Helbig is a German composer whose career has marked a turning point in the integration of classical music and electronic experimentation. His innovative approach is distinguished by the ability to combine orchestral tradition with electronic sounds.
In 2017, he composed the work for choir and live electronics I Eat the Sun and Drink the Rain. The production was staged at Milton Court Hall in London, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and Reina Sofia Hall in Madrid. In recent years, the artist has also taken on the role of director. He has directed music videos, theater performances, and multimedia theatrical events. For example, he produced the High-rise Symphony for the 800th anniversary of Dresden.
In the second part of the program, Sven Helbig and his choir will present I Eat the Sun and Drink the Rain, an interdisciplinary work consisting of ten pieces that explore the human condition through a sonic process that alternates between chamber choirs and electronic soundscapes, while a visual track continuously flows on a screen. The title itself is a poetic invitation to an encounter between light and rain, symbols of an existential experience that transcends rationality.
The work is a journey that leads from the Kyrie Eleison to the interpretation of Giacomo Leopardi’s L’Infinito, passing through various reflections on the human spirit. Each composition is designed to describe a moment of search and introspection, in which humans confront the vastness of the natural world, finding refuge in the mystery of life and the infinite that surrounds them. The choral dimension of Eat the Sun and Drink the Rain plays a central role, elevating the musical experience to a spiritual level, where the union of human voices and electronic sounds creates a meditative atmosphere. The fusion of natural sounds, human voices, and electronic landscapes creates a sonic map of that imaginary place where the meeting between humanity and nature symbolizes a possible purification.
The first part of the concert, on the other hand, will be dedicated to a young promise of contemporary music, Mélia Roger, who will perform for the first time in Milan with a set that highlights her refined artistic sensitivity. Known primarily for her work in the field of sound installations and cinema design, Mélia Roger is one of the most interesting voices in the landscape of artists exploring the relationships between humans and non-humans through sound. Her research, in fact, focuses on the idea of listening as a deep sensory experience, capable of engaging empathetically and consciously those who approach it.
Her approach is mainly based on field recordings and active listening performances, tools that allow her to create complex and evocative soundscapes, inviting the listener to reflect on their relationship with the surrounding environment. Her work moves between minimalism and avant-garde, exploring how natural sounds and environmental elements can be transformed into true sonic languages.
Additionally, Roger’s research involves a strong participatory component, leading her to work on shared projects, where sound becomes a tool for creating community and exchanging experiences. Her music stands as a testament to her belief that active listening and collective participation are fundamental to a deeper understanding of environmental, social, and emotional dynamics. With her work, Roger aims not only to engage the audience in her sonic exploration but also to stimulate an ongoing dialogue between nature, humanity, and art.
The meeting between the poetic worlds of Sven Helbig and Mélia Roger, though distant in style and approach, finds a synthesis in this concert, which invites reflection on our relationship with the environment, spirituality, and humanity.