Guy Harries - making a sound

QueerLove is my new opera for Tête-à-Tête: the Opera Festival on 20th September, exploring relationships in the LGBTQ+ community through the medium of the love letter. Created in collaboration with a cast of queer artists creating and performing songs, dance, classical and electronic sound and drag, this opera is a dazzling, glittering, life-affirming celebration of deep human connection. The piece was inspired by letters from queer archives and present-day interviews. It is devised by the composer in collaboration with the cast members, bringing different voices and experiences together and queering the operatic hierarchy. Immerse yourself in some queer love!

With: Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong (voice), Sholto Biscoe-Taylor (voice), Hestor Dart (voice), Medusa Has Been (drag performer - 'Heart'), Rebecca Burden (cello), Theo Lowe (dance), Guy Harries (composition, concept, sound design, flute, co-director). With co-director Andra Simons

The piece is supported by: University of East London, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, WiseThoughts, Westminster University and Westminster LGBT+ Forum. With thanks to the University of Westminster and Bishopsgate Institute LGBTQIA+ Archives

BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE: https://www.tete-a-tete.org.uk/event/queerlove/

SINGULAR is a short film exploring the experiences of single gay men during the pandemic in London. The film crosses between genres and art forms, combining elements of musical theatre, contemporary dance, sound art and documentary. The film highlights aspects of this experience such as: queer identity, activism, sex, intimacy, mental health, racism and ageism through an intimate lens of personal experiences. The piece is based on interviews with five London-based gay men (with a focus on the ages 45-65) and includes their voices as part of the film's soundscape.

The film was created with a team of queer London-based artists: Gerrard Martin (choreography, dance), Jeremy Finch White (actor, singer), Ana de Matos (film-maker) and Guy Harries (concept, direction, music and sound composition).

SINGULAR won the Best Experimental Film award at Out and Loud Pune International Queer Film Festival 2023.

Created with support from: Wise Thoughts, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, University of East London, Chisenhale Dance Space

‘Queer Love Letters’ is a series of creative workshops for the LGBTQIA+ community, exploring identity and relationships with the aim of developing wellbeing and a sense of community.

Based on the idea of writing a ‘love letter’, participants are invited to express their love: for a friend, a family member, a pet, lover or themselves. This could be manifested through written words, drawing/collage, crafts or interactive group participation through movement or song.

No previous experience is required. We encourage participation from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.

Team: Guy Harries, Katie Merritt, Yasmeen Brett with supervisor Dr Nikolaos Souvlakis (PG Dip Counselling - University of Westminster)

Partners: Hope in the Community Westminster NHS, Westminster LGBT+ Forum, University of Wesminster

Book here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/18562/queer-love-letters-creative-wellbeing-workshop

Cabaret of Tears, a collaboration with pianist Arin Maisky with me on vocals/occasional songwriting, is an imagined musical journey inspired by the work of poet Bertolt Brecht and composer Hanns Eisler, starting with the political cabaret of Berlin in the 1920s and 1930s, their escape from their transformed homeland, and the years of exile in Los Angeles, resulting in the wonderful collection The Hollywood Songbook. The programme also includes work by other composers including Kurt Weill, Michael Nyman, Philip Glass and myself - all of which are connected to this journey and its themes of political turmoil, the human condition, exile, loneliness and yearning. An album of this repertoire will be released in spring 2023. Here is a first peek - my song Into the Night (Recording - David Louria, Photos - Robert Piwko)

Mineral Language

In summer 2021 I was invited to be guest choreographer/composer and create a new piece at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome. I was fortunate to collaborate with many talented and kind people in the making of this piece, Mineral Language, which was launched online last night. The piece is about language as a mineral that contains layers and layers of historical development - sound and graphic elements, meaning, the ability or inability to communicate, creation of community through stories and fairytales, and movement as a language in its own right. Here is the video of the piece, and also a 'making of...' video!

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