My name is Robert Asselstine.

I am the Librettist, Composer, Lyricist, Arranger and Producer of this project.

EMAIL: rga@rgaproductions.com

The essence of the Story (see below) lies in three simple words found in Mary Shelley's original writing of FRANKENSTEIN...

DO YOU DREAM

The project was created in 3 phases:

(ONE) Prior to beginning the writing of the Libretto, the 1818 text was read exclusively over 3 years. The entire process took place over a period of about 5 years.

(TWO) The "Rhythm" book was written to ensure the music would most closely approximate the rhythm of the human voice.

(THREE) The "Melodic" book was written on the foundation of the Libretto and the Rhythm book allowing me as creator to maximize thematic development.

(Mary Shelley's handwritten manuscript - Chapter 7, page 179)

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRETTO/SCRIPT WITH HOT LINKS

Below is my concept of the visual of DAEMON

(this is an original sculpture created by makeup artist Sean Sansom)

CLICK HERE FOR WARDROBE / FASHION CONSIDERATIONS

Think "Subway Goth", "Emo", "Steampunk

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN CREATED TO PROVIDE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF CONCEPT LOOKS AND SOUNDS FOR THE PRODUCTION - FROM THE SIMPLICITY OF A PIANO/VOICE PRESENTATION TO A FULL ARENA PRODUCTION

FIRST - HERE IS A QUICK REVIEW OF PREVIOUS "LOOKS"

NOTE: The underscore used in these animations is also in the project - this is the score for the song "HE SAID"

THE STORY

The essence of this faithful re-telling of Mary Shelley's original story lies in a statement spoken by Daemon, found midway through Chapter 24 in the 1818 edition:

“And do you dream?” said the daemon. “Do you think that I was then dead to agony and remorse? He,” he continued, pointing to the corpse, “he suffered not in the consummation of the deed. Oh! Not the ten-thousandth portion of the anguish that was mine during the lingering detail of its execution. A frightful selfishness hurried me on, while my heart was poisoned with remorse. Think you that the groans of Clerval were music to my ears? My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine.

THE MUSIC

As a child of the 60's, Classic Rock has always been an important part of my makeup. As a student of Composition, orchestral music (Wagner, Stravinsky and Holst some of my favourite composers) has provided the texture for my preferences. As a recording studio "session" player and Producer, the study of Audio completes my makeup. As a Producer of large-scale live musical events - I am privileged to have had the opportunity to fulfill virtually all of my musical desires.

FRANKENSTEIN MUSIC SAMPLES ARE LINKED BELOW. For comparables - think of the American Goth-Rock band EVANESCENCE , and the Dutch Symphonic-Metal artist EPICA among others. The plan is to add two Guitar Players (The Daemon Guitar [Gibson Les Paul - in the style of Jimmy Page] and the Victor Guitar [Fender Stratocaster- in the style of David Gilmour] as well as 1-2 percussionists. Orchestrator: Rob Powers

THE PROJECT - PRODUCTION LEVELS

INTIMATE - PIANO/VOICE

The project works at all levels - including the most simple and naked - Piano & Voice only.

MUSIC - CREATOR, MURDERER, ONE (VICTOR) - PIANO/VOICE ONLY

DEMO Vocal - River Guard

(fully orchestrated version below)

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ORCHESTRAL - SCORE ONLY

Sample scores available upon request

PHASE 1 - THE CONCEPT ALBUM

The project is Music/Story driven with Music as the focus. With that in mind, ghost-budgeted sessions at Abbey Road Studio "2", London (The Beatles Room) featuring the Strings, Brass and Percussion sections of the London Symphony Orchestra have been prepared.

PHASE 2 - THE LIVE "SMALL PRODUCTION IMMERSIVE" PERFORMANCE

PRODUCTION NOTE: fully immersive 3D "Spatial" audio audience experience, swivel chairs

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 3D AUDIO

Successive years performances will grow in production values

PHASE 3 - THE LIVE "VIDEO BACKDROP" PERFORMANCE

Below are two animations of large and small staging looks - phases 3 and 4 of the project.

Continuance of the fully immersive 3D "Spatial" audio audience experience

(NOTE: the use of the stage drawing of the Panasonic Theatre is for demonstration only and is not a confirmed venue for production)

MUSIC - "HE SAID" (DAEMON)

Orchestrated: Demo Vocal: "Asterian"

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LIVE Vocal with small band: Ryan Dunn

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Orchestrated version - no vocal

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MUSIC - "EVERMORE" (Victor's Song)

Demo Vocal: Thom Flora

CONTEXT: 1818 edition - CH5 "It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toil"

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Evermore - Demo Vocal: Danny Zolli

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Evermore - Orchestra only - no vocal

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MUSIC - DO YOU DREAM (Daemon's Song)

Demo Vocal - Kevin Connelly

CONTEXT: 1818 edition CH24 "And do you dream - said the daemon..."

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Do You Dream - Orchestra Only - no vocal

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MUSIC - CREATOR, MURDERER, ONE (Victor) - ORCHESTRATED

Demo Vocal: River Guard

CONTEXT: 1818 edition CH23 - Elizabeth has been murdered

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CM1 - Orchestra only - no vocal

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MUSIC - THIS FACE

CONTEXT: 1818 edition - CH17 " You must create a female for me..."

PIANO/VOICE Demo Vocal: Ted Baerg

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PIANO/VOICE Demo Vocal: Chuck Wagner

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ORCHESTRATED version (no vocal)

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ORCHESTRATED Demo Vocal: Chuck Wagner

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MUSIC - WANDERING FOOL

CONTEXT: 1818 edition CH10 "I expected this reception..."

Orchestrated Demo Vocal: "Asterian" and "Kevin"

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ORCHESTRATED VERSION (no vocal)

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CONCEPT POSTER

(This poster, promoting our 2009, Halloween Night, Highline Ballroom NYC performance was designed by Canadian artist Hugh Syme, noted graphic designer of every "RUSH" album cover since their inception. The by-line is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Leonard Cohen)

IMAGES

ONLINE ADS "TEASE" TEST - DRAFT#1

SHORT TEASE

One of the locations being considered for Phase 5 of the project - Shoot / Broadcast a live performance

Angel Orensanz Center - NYC