Inspired by the composer Olivier Messiaen’s movement “Abyss of the Birds” from his composition “Quartet for the End of Time”- written during his internment in the Stalag VIIIA Nazi camp in Silesia, Poland, 1940 - photographer Tiziana Rozzo composed a visual narrative to reflect on his experience and on the historical time we are living in. Using the natural landscape as a metaphor for human emotions this work aims to bring hope to all people that feel isolated and invisible. This work is a collaboration of photographer Tiziana Rozzo and clarinetist Catherine Hudgins.

Ensemble Chamarré performs the Quartet for the End of Time in the traditional concert setting, and also in collaboration with photographer Tiziana Rozzo, with her images projected above the musicians during the concert. For an example of this collaboration, see the video that Rozzo produced in collaboration with clarinetist Catherine Hudgins during the time of isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tiziana Rozzo is an artist, scientist and educator. Her photographic work investigates ways of communicating intimate moments. She is interested in photography’s ability to convey physicality and create deeper meaning. In this collaborative project “Abyss of the Birds”, Rozzo responds to the French composer Olivier Messiaen’s homonymous musical movement– from his 1940 “Quartet for the End of Time”– with an immersive visual experience. Using the landscape as a metaphor for human emotions, Rozzo invites the audience to follow Olivier Messiean on his journey and reflect on the meaning of his music in our contemporary socio-political context. Developed during the pandemic, the project expanded to incorporate more than one movement and premiered at the Teatro Accademico of Castelfranco Veneto (Italy), in 2022. @tizianarozzo www.RozzoPhoto.com