MÖRSUGUR
poetic tale fyrir voice and audiovisuals
Winner of Gríman 2024, the Icelandic Performing Arts Award, Singer of the Year
"Heiða’s rendition of this was remarkable: what emerged from her mouth was more than mere imitation, a complex form of vocalise – either sub- or super-expressive, depending on your perspective – continually tilting between dual impressions of bird and woman. Both musically and visually, Mörsugur was primarily about atmosphere and texture, with a strong emphasis on the natural world, though its earthy, folk intimacy took a surprising turn later on, entering a beat-laden stylised frenzy with strobes and swirling purple lights. It all made for a strange but unforgettable experience."
MÖRSUGUR - Trailer
Mörsugur is an opera for voice and audiovisuals created from a poetic tale by Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir. Located in folkloric Icelandic nature, the fragmented storytelling ventures on frequent detours on behalf of mythic-like heroines on which the narrator is built upon. This captivating work is the result of a creative collaboration between Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir, Heiða Árnadóttir and Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir. Mörsugur explores the delicate nuances of existing between worlds - light and darkness, memory and the present. The performance is interwoven with video art created by Ásdís Birna Gylfadóttir.
Mörsugur was composed for Dark Music Days 2023 and premiered in Norðurljós Hall in Harpa on January 25th 2023. The composer, lyricist, and performer received an artist grant to work on and develop the piece. The group also received funding from the Music Fund to cover direction, costume design, and the work of a visual artist on video production and photography for promotional material. Heiða Árnadóttir was the resident artist of Dark Music Days for three years, and this performance was her final contribution to the festival.
Mörsugur is built around a nonlinear narrative focusing on exploring contrasts present in the Icelandic landscape and seasons. The piece travels through a range of emotions and showcases diverse vocal styles and nuances, from pop vocals to extended vocal techniques. The performance is a staged composition reminiscent of music theater, about 50 minutes long. Heiða Árnadóttir, the singer, is alone on the stage the entire time, while electronic sounds and video works frame the performance. The work brings together Icelandic poetry, electronic music, acoustic music, experimental music, visual art, and theater, creating a cohesive and powerful experience based on texture, atmosphere, and mood. The progression of the work is based on transformations of emotion, atmosphere, and contrasts.
The focus of the work was to explore the possibilities of experimental singing and body movement as narrative forms in performing arts. As a result, the work was created in close dialogue with the performer, making it tailor-made for Heiða as a singer and allowing her to fully utilize her strengths in interpretation and singing. Toward the end of the process, visual artist Ásdís Birna Gylfadóttir joined the project, contributing video works that became part of the stage design, and also assisting with lighting design. Dramaturg Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir also contributed to lighting design, and costume designer Heiða Eiríksdóttir created the costume, which was sewn by Katla Sigurðardóttir. This entire process was completed in close collaboration with the whole team. The lyrics were translated into English by Ragnheiður Erla, Árni Ísaksson, and Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir, with proofreading by Meg Matich.
"[...]Much more involving was Mörsugur, a piece of music theatre (described as a “poetic tale”) by Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir and Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir, given a tour de force solo performance by singer Heiða Árnadóttir. This time a translation was provided, offering an insight into the work’s mix of intimacy and myth, tapping into the country’s legends. Progressing more according to shifting emotional currents than a linear narrative, the performance was a marvellous way for Heiða to conclude her 3-year residency at the festival. She moved between close-up reverie, bathed in and transfixed by light, later (interacting with large video screens) appearing to touch the clouds. In one startlingly powerful sequence, having played imaginary bells with her fingers, she seemingly began to transform into a raven. Heiða’s rendition of this was remarkable: what emerged from her mouth was more than mere imitation, a complex form of vocalise – either sub- or super-expressive, depending on your perspective – continually tilting between dual impressions of bird and woman. Both musically and visually, Mörsugur was primarily about atmosphere and texture, with a strong emphasis on the natural world, though its earthy, folk intimacy took a surprising turn later on, entering a beat-laden stylised frenzy with strobes and swirling purple lights. It all made for a strange but unforgettable experience."
-Simon Cummings, 5:4
MEDIA
MÖRSUGUR - Trailer
