EL COMTE ARNAU is an original, musical POEM that asks of its audience far more than a simple contemplation of lust and evil, rather it seduces them to go deeper as the music, and the songs, and the fluid movement of the actors, evoke deep sentiments as one would feel listening to a classical symphony. The actors, like skilled conductors, tell the story from the center of the stage. Colorful lights and creative choreography enhance the ancient story of sin and forgiveness. The chorus plays many roles from Catholic nuns to woodland forests. The images that are evoked change quickly, one to another, as the story builds in excitement to a thoughtful climax.

EL COMTE ARNAU is based on the poem of the same name, written by the Catalan poet JOAN MARAGALL as a result of his interest in the new artistic movement of the early 20th century. Many artist were returning to nature during this period called MODERNISM, which inspired the Barcelona architect ANTONI GAUDI and made him famous.

It is not the spectacle on stage that the audience is asked to consider but, the emotional complicity with the characters who are represented in the story. To feel inspirited by their provocation is the goal of the play. Each performance is never a complete equal to the one before. … new elements are put in or taken out as performances evolve. New elements are adapted and help evolve the play as we, living people, evolve.

There are no straight lines in nature …
all have different shapes and forms, that change..

Cast

ARNAU ……………….Jose Ruiz-Carretero
ADELAISA ....................Iris Vilà
ELVIRA..........................Paola Martinez
EARTH VOICES ...........Teta Benavente, Jordi Sola, Ingrid Codinach, Laura Espada,
Isaura Almar, Laura Perez, Tamy Luque, Pilar Costa, AlbaSarta
Techniques.......................Gemma Tintiña, Albert Maruny
Production design……….Rosa Maria Roca, Sylvana Gross-Melzer
Direction………………..Kim Planella

Scene 1 - The creation of the myth
Scene 2 - Arnau , ( the Comte) returns transformed in his personality from war .
Scene 3 - Gone are his former values , Arnau has become perverse.
Scene 4 - Arnau, meets Adalaisa , a young nun , for the first time and falls in love.
Scene 5 - Adalaisa prays for strength to continue her vows.
Scene 6 - Arnau trys to seduce Adalasia during the night , but she refuses him.
Scene 7- The voice of Earth calls forth Arnau's mental ghost.
Scene 8 - At the Abbey , Arnau seduces Adalaisa .
Scene 9 - Adalaisa becomes possessed by Arnau's universe
Scene10- Arnau abandons Adalaisa
Scene11- A pregnant Adalaisa dies in the arms of "a damned black" Legend"
Scene12- The Black Legend lives in anguish.
Scene 13- El Comte Arnau regretting after centuries but to no avail.
Scene 14- The ancient religious Precepts have transformed his legend to a sinister song.
Scene 15- El Comte Arnau , as protagonist of the legend, regrets with all the other
characters , in eternithy.
Scene16- El Comte Arnau, cries out to the voices of the earth for forgiveness.
Scene17 - A new mentality is born
Scene18 - Love redeems old sins, faults and mistakes .
Scene19 - Humanity is redeemed, every time that a new innocent voice is born .

EL COMTE ARNAU.........................Version Print (Pdf file)