Friday, November 21, 1997
Bimbetta modernizes classical
MUSIC: All-woman group melds elements of popular culture and
feminism with old, old songs
By Laura Noguera
Daily Bruin Contributor
Classical music and modern feminism. It may seem like an
unlikely pairing, but for the five members of Bimbetta, a group of
all-female musicians, it makes perfect sense.
Playing classical music while using theatrics, dancing and
lighting to capture audiences, three sopranos, Sonja Rasmussen,
Allison Zelles and Andrea Fullington, cellist Shelley Taylor, and
harpsichordist Katherine Shao, make up this almost traditional
ensemble. And this Sunday, Bimbetta brings their untraditional show
"The War of Love" to UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall.
To those who do not consider themselves fans of baroque music,
Zelles says audience members need not have a passionate love for
the classical genre.
"It’s not grunge rock, (but) they should come check out how we
do it. … We like to update it and really present the pieces with
a 20th century mindset. So they might like it more," Zelles
says.
Bimbetta’s approach to classical performance pulls from a
variety of sources, both classical and contemporary.
"We opened up the framework around classical music," Rasmussen
says. "We can draw on little snippets of Aretha Franklin or Tori
Amos … We draw different stuff from popular culture."
Rasmussen describes Bimbetta’s style as, "baroque music that is
fused with the sort of vibrant messy hybrid culture of the United
States."
Without altering the original baroque compositions, Bimbetta
still tries to accomplish their goal of inspiring women.
In performances, Bimbetta relates to women through humorous
sarcasm. Through exaggerated movements, dance and their own
on-stage commentary, the women mock the archaic 17th century
lyric.
Through words and song, the group has created its own
alternative scene in the classical world, also reflected in the
group’s name.
These women, who bill themselves as "five babes go(ing) for
baroque," are not bimbos. They are not little girls. They are
feminists, passionate about doing what they want to do.
"We’re independent women and it’s OK to be who you are … we
can call ourselves anything we want," Zelles says.
The members of Bimbetta met as graduate students at Indiana
University. There they began creating their trendy baroque style
while playing their period instruments.
Their costumes follow suit to their music as they shed formal
concert dress. No formal black and white can be found on these
women. Costumes typically have a memorable flair. Zelles stresses
Bimbetta’s taste for high heeled boots, polka dots andfashionably
black jackets. The group does remain professional by having a
common style for all five members.
"We don’t usually wear the standard dress, which is the black
and white dressy stuff … Clothes that make us feel comfortable on
stage make a statement. We like to have a unifying theme," Zelles
says.
They will perform English and Italian pieces Sunday, including
their CD title piece, "Alla Guerra d’Amore" (The War of Love) by
Sigmondo d’India. Other composers include Purcell, Monteverdi, and
Strozzi, the last regarded highly by Bimbetta.
"One composer we’re very fond of is Barbara Strozzi. She wrote a
lot of her own lyrics. They have a very interesting edge,"
Rasmussen says. "My personal view is that that’s because she is a
woman. But most of the texts that we work with are written by
men."
A highlight in the program is Strozzi’s "What Can We Poor
Females Do?"
"The way the lyrics answer that question is by showing a real
limited vision of what we can do," Rasmussen says. "We perform that
song by adding our own commentary to that vision," Rasmussen laughs
adding that "these lyrics are in the mouths of us, women."
One worry the audience may have is understanding the lyrics
written in a foreign language. Whether the audience is fluent in
Italian or not, Bimbetta promises to entertain and communicate. The
women create various scenes and moods on stage, connecting the
music and lyrics with modern themes.
"(The composers) were experimenting with how words and music
work together – really vivid portrayals of the emotions and
dilemmas of being human," Rasmussen says.
Communicating the humor and disappointment of life is not
simple. On stage, Bimbetta interacts with the crowd, magnifying the
issues. In the past, Bimbetta has been known to flash cards with
written phrases that might spark laughter or disappointment.
"We convey a setting or get a mood across," Rasmussen says. "All
these different approaches, the theater, humor, dancing, feminism
and everything, help (us) connect with the audience. And hit people
in the heart."
MUSIC: Bimbetta performs Sunday at 4 p.m. at Schoenberg Hall.
Tickets are $25 and $9 for UCLA students. For more information,
call 310-825-2101.UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
Bimbetta’s arrangements combine baroque music, comedy and
feminism.