Vox et Spiritus

For many years it has been the wish of the dance company to create a piece together with the opera choir of Mainfranken Theater and now in season 2025/26, this project will finally be realised. As the title suggests, focus of the piece will be the voice (vox) and breath (spiritus, also meaning “spirit” or “soul”).

Breath is a symbol as well as basic requirement for life. Our heartbeat is influenced by breathing and so our breath and cardiovascular circulation are connected through the movement of our body. The very first real breath of a new born is usually also the moment of first using our voice: the first scream. Having an own voice is an important part of our personality. In a choir, it is not only about your own voice but also about how many different voices work together. Life-affirming breath is a crucial element for the choir and dance ensemble alike, because breathing together creates team spirit, the feeling of everybody moving as one body. When everybody inhales at the same time, it is already the “beginning”.

Also artistic inspiration is based on “breath: The Latin word inspirare can be translated with “to inhale” or “inspired by god” meaning an idea “breathed into” someone. Since breathing is closely linked to our nervous system, breathing can have a great impact on our emotions from sadness, anger and fear to relief and happiness.
The music ranging from ancient chorals to contemporary pieces takes the audience on a journey through many different acoustic worlds. The dance company will be accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the opera choir of Mainfranken Theater.