By Riordan Gallagher

The music of Antonio Vivaldi has never felt more alive. In Eonarium’s latest project, the beauty of the Italian composer’s music is on full display. Combining sound with a vibrant light show, the composer captured the stunning energy and sombre pensivity of the four seasons.

Held in the beautifully ornate and historical Merchant House, ‘Enlightenment’, seeks to explore all movements of Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, complemented by his ‘Spring Showers’ and ‘Northern Lights’ abridges.

Conveying the hope and wonder of all four seasons, the light show is connected by the common motif of different coloured birds breaking across the ceiling – heralding the end of one movement. Moreover, each season is brought on by explosions of colour, creating an intimate familiarity through its palettes. The transitions between them are marked by a view from a forest floor, framing the moon between branches of leaves blossoming, thriving, wilting, and disappearing as time progresses.

The lights not only help to stylise the seasons themselves but also put movement within Vivaldi’s composition. Working in tandem, the visual aspects created new meaning, with blooming flowers, berries, and snowflakes morphing into veins, nerves and blood cells. The connection between life and music reflects that of humanity and nature.

Eonarium does briefly depart from the music of Vivaldi, however. Following the ‘Winter’ movement, the show moves into new-wave synth music, reminiscent of late 80’s post-pop, lulling the audience into a sense of relaxed wonder. Here, Eonarium cleverly mirrors the celebrations that are enjoyed at the end of winter, before bursting into an overture of Vivaldi’s orchestral piece. Once more, spring has begun and the four seasons must renew.

Vivaldi’s music feels alive in itself, offering crescendos that give life to the vibrant light show. It is the visual elements that complete the picture, however, redefining the seasons with a visually stellar display.