Golden Lion for Beat Furrer

The Swiss composer Beat Furrer has been awarded the ”Golden Lion” at the Venice Biennale 2006. The jury recognised Furrer’s music theatre work ”FAMA” which was premiered at the Donaueschingen Music Days in October 2005 in a production by Christoph Marthaler given by Klangforum Wien, the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart and actress Isabelle Menke, conducted by the composer. Furrer chose Schnitzler’s story ”Fräulein Else” as the basis for this 70-minute work, which is scored for large ensemble, eight voices and actress. The title ”FAMA” refers to a passage in Ovid’s ”Metamorphoses” which describes the house of Fama, the goddess of rumours. Every sound which penetrates it returns continuously.
This allegorical picture inspired the composer to write a piece of music theatre, which was enthusiastically received at its premiere and first run of performances (Vienna, Paris, Venice Biennale). Furrer has been honoured with this significant prize for his contribution to this innovative form of music theatre, which uses a highly condensed inner tension, and can be performed in staged or concert versions. Further performances of FAMA will take place in Amsterdam, Peking, Brisbane, Barcelona and Madrid.
As well as Beat Furrer, the Austrian composer Friedrich Cerha was awarded the ”Golden Lion” for his life’s work.

(Photo: Beat Furrer and members of the jury at the award ceremony for the „Leone d’oro per la musica d’oggi” © Giorgio Zucchiatti, La Biennale di Venezia)