‘Where are the wild ones?’

Mapped over a stunning visual score made from the route and geology of the river Tyne, ‘Where are the wild ones?’  is a project to make a new musical experience which will captivate audiences of all ages.  Diving deep into the little known world of the Atlantic salmon, it will take the audience underwater from sea to source, revealing their mysterious path from Greenland to Kielder swimming up the river Tyne to spawn. With underwater score projected as double film, this electro-acoustic show will weave myth with scientific data to make new music.  Performed through multiple speakers with soloists, choir, live electronics and ensemble,  the mysterious tale of mighty Prudghor, ancient fish god,  will be revealed.

It is anticipated that this site specific work will complete and premiere as  the opera ‘Salmo salar, a sonic story‘  some time in the future. It made a sold out mid-stage performance on the banks of the river Tyne, Newcastle on Saturday 4th August 2012, as part of the Gateshead Bridges festival. Documentation to follow.

Where are the wild ones? is a two year research collaboration between award-winning composer Kaffe Matthews, artist Laura Harrington, children from three river Tyne schools and scientists from the Environment Agency North East.  Directed by Matthews, they worked the river’s map as their score, sonifying its seasonal flows and temperatures as melodies, its sounds and stories to lyrics, enabled by coder  Adam Parkinson , the enthusiasm and skill of the EA scientists, Callum Roberts  professor of marine conservation biology, the chief helmsman of the Tynemouth RNLI, a Tyne river residency on board ~Flow, Newcastle and anglers everywhere.

Where are the wild ones?  was developed in partnership with  ISIS Arts and Environment Agency North East.  R&D was enabled by the support of Arts Council England, Annette Works and Chris Watson. ~Flow  residency and Bridges Festival performance are produced and supported by ~Flow and Newcastle Gateshead Bridges Festival.