MANIFESTO | Performance Manifest for the Freedom of the Performer

Saturday, November 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM – Capitol Hall
“The performer, despite his unbearable arrogance, is completely useless — unless his performance makes the music intelligible to a public unfortunate enough not to be able to read a score.” — Arnold Schoenberg

Inspired by the words of one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, “Manifesto” is a performance advocating for the freedom of the performer. The show tells the story of a musician whose creativity has been amputated and replaced by mere virtuosity, turning them into a kind of athlete focused solely on speed and precision, killing creativity through repetition.

The performance includes theatrical moments and elements drawn from contemporary dance. Throughout the show, the audience will also become performers, guided by the three musicians on stage.

At the end of the performance, spectators will receive a newspaper providing the social, political, and cultural context of each work, as well as the reasons behind its inclusion in the repertoire. This gives the project a strong educational dimension, explaining not only the music but also its purpose and social context.

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Program
John Cage – Song Books, No. 64, for voice and various objects (1970)
Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre – Violin and Harpsichord Sonata in D minor (1707)
Erik Satie – Vexations (1983)
Alessandro Stradella – Trio Sonata in D minor (~1670)
Vinko Globokar – ?Corporel, solo work for body percussion (1985)
William Lawes – The Royall Consort Sett No. 6 in D major (~1640)
Mihai Codrea – Back to the Bone – world premiere, a collaborative work created together with the three performers

Spectators will be on stage alongside the artists, creating an intimate and direct experience where music and performance become a living, profound dialogue.

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The show is the result of the “Energie!” creative grant, offered by the Timișoara Project Center.