Name: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: Sopraterra (CH)
Start: 2025-05-25T20:00:00+03:00
Location: Volta 7, 10411 Tallinn, Estonia

Sopraterra, a music duo formed by Magda Drozd and Nicola Genovese, transforms the traditional timbres of the saxophone and violin into hauntingly eerie electronic soundscapes. Sopraterra is a sort of natural consequence of years of collaboration between Drozd and Genovese in the fields of music, performance and art. The name “Sopraterra” itself, translating to “above the earth” in Italian, evokes images of ancient ruins where only the upper parts remain visible, mirroring the duo’s exploration of sound landscapes that bridge the past and the future – a blend of antique melodies and obscure drones.
Sopraterra draws inspiration from an eclectic spectrum of influences, including the visionary sounds of Current 93, the intricate harmonies of late medieval Ars Nova, and the enchanting elegance of Baroque chamber music, Sopraterra also pays homage to the avant-garde experimentation of the legendary French collective Art Zoyd and the contemporary brilliance of nowadays composers like Kali Malone, Hüma Utku or Hiro Kone.
On their debut album Seven Dances to Embrace the Hollow released in February 2025 on Präsens Editionen – a label from Lucerne know for its experimental and state of the art projects and the publisher of Zweikommasieben music magazine, the Zurich-based artists offer exactly what’s announced: seven compositions which, as they unhurriedly flow into each other, mark potential entry points to discover what might be lying underneath. By choosing Sopraterra, which translates to “above the earth” in Italian, as their shared project’s name, Drozd and Genovese indicate their own position in this archeological-looking endeavor, hinting at the potential for sonic explorations to produce deeply submerged discoveries.

Supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
https://sopraterra.ch
https://www.magdadrozd.com
http://www.nicolagenovese.org
https://www.volta7.art/events/close-encounters-sopraterra-magda-drozd-nicola-genovese-ch
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS event entries are donation based.