CFP: Embodied Monologues, Maynooth Univ., 5 Sep 2025
AMS
Embodied Monologues 2025: Cathy Berberian and Theatrical Imagination
5 September 2025, Maynooth University, Ireland
In the year marking the official 100th anniversary of Cathy Berberian’s birth, a one-day symposium will celebrate the work of the American mezzo-soprano known as “the Callas of the Avant-Garde”. With a view to exploring the particular crosscurrents between the performative languages that forged New Music Theatre in post-world war II Europe, we situate Berberian at the centre of pioneering vocal experimentation while always seeking wider considerations as to her place in these crosscurrents. The symposium aims to establish a dialogue between scholars and practitioners from different backgrounds and lineages including music, theatre, media, performance, opera, gender studies, practice-based and embodied research. Artistic contributions (envoicements) from artist-researchers and practitioners relevant to the topic are equally welcome as well as scholarly interventions.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
• Berberian’s contribution to the avant-garde music-theatre scene;
• Berberian’s vocal practices and New Vocality;
• Performers in later twentieth century New Music Theatre
• Crosscurrents and exchanges with other performing arts
Please, check the website www.embodiedmonologues.com for complete range of relevant topics.
The symposium invites a range of envoicement/presentation formats:
• Individual paper envoicement/presentation (15 mins +5 min. Q&A);
• Practice-based presentation/ performance/ workshop (30 mins/ 60 mins);
• Short film/ documentary/ video installation (please, indicate length with submission, and include a link via Vimeo, YouTube or other platforms).
Submissions for proposals should be sent to the e-mail address:
Francesca.Placanica -at- mu.ie by Friday 6th of June 2025 in a single document (preferably in PDF) including the following information:
• First name and surname
• Institutional affiliation(s) (if any)
• Contact e-mail address
• Title of presentation
• Type/format of presentation (one of the above options)
• Abstract (250-300 words)
• Brief biography (100 words per presenter)
Please submit your proposals and any inquiries, to the Chair’s e-mail address: Francesca.Placanica -at- mu.ie
The Organising Committee:
Francesca Placanica (Chair), Maynooth University, Ireland
Laura Hamer, The Open University, UK
Pamela Karantonis, Goldsmith University, UK
Stefano Lombardi Vallauri, IULM University, Milan, Italy