about the project
The transmedia project The Bird of a Thousand Voices is the first of its kind to bring ancient Armenian folk tale Hazaran Blbul to life. Armenian composer & pianist Tigran Hamasyan and Dutch filmmaker & visual artist Ruben Van Leer are joining forces for a new live staged production that had its world premiere at the Holland Festival. The mythical bird – whose thousand different songs travel the world to spread harmony – comes to life in an intriguing new kind of music theater, an online game, a kinetic art installation and a series of films.
MUSIC ALBUM
Composer and pianist Tigran Hamasyan presents his most ambitious body of music with the new album: The Bird of a Thousand Voices. 24 new music compositions on a double album fusing improvisation and the rich tradition of Tigran’s native Armenia.
LIVE STAGED SHOW
An Armenian folktale about the quest for world harmony spectacularly comes to life with a concert in a moving stage setting, fused by an intriguing libretto and light show, featuring singer-performer Areni Agbabian.
ONLINE VIDEO GAME
Play as Prince Areg through mystical realms to awaken a celestial bird and restore harmony, blending ancient myth with stunning visuals and enchanting music, featuring track The Kingdom.
FILMS
In the first film of a forthcoming series, Areg and Manushak, filmmaker Ruben Van Leer frames Armenia as never seen before, diving with Tigran into the manuscript archives of the Matenadaran in search of ancient remnants of the folk tale..
KINETIC INSTALLATION
Media artists Boris Acket and Ruben Van Leer, along with music artist Tigran Hamasyan, join forces in the exposition of a unique piece of kinetic installation art with the same title.
EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE
Illustrator Khoren Matevosyan, who is also responsible for the captivating album artwork, designs exclusive merchandise that is for sale and forms pieces of wearable visual storytelling.