(micro)Requiem: remembrance

A new music film by soprano and composer Misha Penton

Re-imagining renewal & rebirth

The (micro)Requiem is a voice and video reflection upon the challenges, sorrows, and expectations of 2020. A six movement dream-world of transformations inspired by Mozart’s unfinished Requiem in D minor. At first, the piece may seem ominous, but the (micro)Requiem is ultimately a work of hope and remembrance which re-imagines healing, renewal, and rebirth.

The (micro)Requiem was released daily in honor of Hallowe’en / All Souls Day / Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). The duration of the movements range from twenty seconds to a little over one minute and were released individually as mini-music films starting on Monday, October 26 and culminating in the full-length 4 minute film on Sunday, November 1.

The (micro)Requiem continues from Misha’s 11-part Micro Opera project which was released during the winter and spring of 2020.

(micro)Requiem: remembrance. A film by soprano and composer Misha Penton. (04:43).

A six movement (micro)Requiem: a dream-world of transformations inspired by Mozart’s unfinished Requiem in D minor. The (micro)Requiem is a voice and video reflection upon the challenges, sorrows, and expectations of 2020. It is a work of hope and remembrance which re-imagines healing, renewal, and rebirth.

Individual movements were released daily from October 26 to November 1 in honor of All Hallows / All Souls / Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Conceived, Directed, & Composed by Misha Penton.

Todd Hulslander, audio mastering. Filmed by Dave Nickerson & Raul Casares. Edited by Misha Penton.

Fragments of Mozart's Requiem are hidden-woven into the composition of the (micro)Requiem. Of note, the final movement, lux aeterna, is a fragment from the soprano solo and chorus (with the voice parts slightly askew) which appears at the end of the W.A.M. Requiem (contemporary editions).

“Misha Penton...is a fine singer, with a darkly inviting voice and a sure sense of pitch.” — STEVEN HICKEN, SEQUENZA21
“Misha Penton… showed her exquisite and succulent vocal range, technically and artistically.” — JOEL LUKS, CULTUREMAP HOUSTON

Misha’s Bio & Social Media Connections

Short bio

Misha Penton is a soprano, composer, director, filmmaker, and writer. Her projects blossom in many forms: live performances, video and audio works, site specific installations, and writings. Upcoming projects include a set of cyber fairytales including the recently released music video Visible Darkness, celebrating the magnificent transformative feminine. Visit Misha’s work at mishapenton.com

Long bio

Misha Penton is a soprano, composer, director, filmmaker, and writer. Her projects blossom in many forms: live performances, video and audio works, site specific installations, and writings. Recent projects include Threshold, a site-specific experimental new opera created for the cavernous Silos at Sawyer Yards in Houston; Anecdote of the Spirit, a contemplative music work for the Rothko Chapel; The Medusa Project with its premiere performance at the Women Composers Festival of Hartford and a film version created for Bath Spa University’s 35’ high MediaWall in the UK; an 11-part Micro Opera project; and her directorial debut with Houston Grand Opera directing a new web opera in HGO’s series Star Cross’d. Misha has conceptualized, produced, and directed over 16 original evening-length performance works and more than six music video projects. Professional affiliations include Houston Grand Opera, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Menil Collection Houston, Dallas Museum of Art, The Foundation for Modern Music, The University of Houston Center for Creative Work, Jewish Community Center Houston, Liminal Space Contemporary Music Ensemble, and DiverseWorks Arts Space Houston. Upcoming projects: a video EP of cyber fairytales including the recently released music video, Visible Darkness, celebrating the magnificent transformative feminine. Visit Misha’s work at mishapenton.com

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