Kickstarter

Welcome to the BiV Kickstarter Page!

Beethoven in Vienna (lovingly nicknamed BiV) is a new stage musical based on the historical novel, Three Weeks in Vienna: A Singer's Account of the Premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which I published in 2000. In 2008 I met London-based playwright and composer, Nicola Jane Buttigieg while taking a class at Boston University and we began our collaborative relationship, culminating in a work for the stage that we are proud to call our own.

At first, a musical about Beethoven seemed a bit bizarre, but if you consider that musicals are pure fantasy, you can do fantastical things, like have Beethoven sing about his feelings, his fears, his desires. The audience accepts it because they know the format of a stage musical is already non-reality. How better to get inside his mind?

Our original script was completed in the summer of 2009 and performed as a staged reading at Byron Civic Theater in Byron, Illinois. Valuable criticism was offered that helped us whittle away at the lengthy creation, eventually revealing the beautiful story we tell in this, the now finished version of BiV. Since then, we have had a professional reading in Hampstead, London, and a staged Equity reading at Roy Arias Theater in Times Square, New York. A showcase of Nicola's musical compositions, including all of the music from BiV, was being sponsored by Really Useful Theatre Group at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in Covent Garden, West End, London on October 28 of this year, and now we have the opportunity to do a full production of the piece in the summer of 2011.

"Beethoven in Vienna" is the story of the premiere of Beethoven's Ninth and Final Symphony as seen through the adoring eyes of the mezzo-soprano soloist, Karoline Unger. It is a love story. It is a story of equality of the classes. It is also a story that examines the nature of genius and the guarded life one must live when even those who are within the close circle of colleagues and friends plot to exploit that genius for their own benefit, particularly when that genius, due to a crushing disability, must rely on those very people to survive. Finally, it is a story that reveals the sexual attraction of one’s intellect, which is often far more powerful than looks or wealth.

Painstaking research went into the writing of this stage adaptation of my novel. By combing through existing conversation books, used by Beethoven’s friends and colleagues to communicate with the deaf composer, a story was pieced together, intertwining as much fact as possible throughout this intriguing story.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a passionate man who cared about his fellow man more than himself and who believed art was a calling higher than any other endeavor. This portrayal of him as such is is long overdue.

Your donation at whatever level you feel comfortable pledging, will take us to the next step in our journey to bring this story to world. We are producing a full production of the show, which requires costume and set design, musician stipends, along with advertising and printing costs. Pledge with confidence, knowing that your donation will bring Beethoven to life for a whole new generation.

For more information, please visit our website at www.BeethovenInVienna.com Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php... Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/beethoveninwien

Most importantly - tell all your friends!!