Symposium Musicum: The politics of place in music theatre

Abstract

This article delves into the performative aspects of sound and listening through Symposium Musicum, an experimental music theatre project that embraced an ecological approach to sound and culture perception. Situated in the Eastern Slovak Republic, this autoethnographic case study examines the relationship between the Roma population and contemporary Slovak society, shedding light on new spaces for intercultural dialogue and offering fresh perspectives on perceiving and imagining a multicultural society.

Drawing from experiential and conceptual frameworks of sound, listening, and performance, the study uncovers the transformative potential of sound as a catalyst for critical thinking. It argues that active listening processes serve as forms of knowledge in action, revealing territorial and cultural transformations that shape ideologies and ecosystems in which individuals are embedded.

Furthermore, the article explores the political potentials of listening to sound, investigating how it influences and intersects with contemporary territories, including ethnicity, gender, and social belonging. It examines the behaviours and strategies that can be derived from experiences of listening and being heard, and delves into the concept of "social sound practice" as an attitude that explores sound within its social setting, ultimately leading to positive change.

By focusing on the case study Symposium Musicum, which was part of the 9th edition of the contemporary theatre festival UM UM (2019), the article offers insightful perspectives on the intricate interplay between sound, performance, and society. It provides a nuanced understanding of sound's potential to transform and provoke critical engagement within contemporary society.