Elettr’antico is a baroque operatic duo with an electronic twist. Clio Em (vocals, instruments, and electronics) and Ilia Marinescu (vocals and violin) perform some of the most intriguing songs and arias of the Baroque period, electrified. The sound worlds that Elettr’antico brings to life are highlighted and expanded upon through animated paintings by Hali Rey; images that act as a moving, ever-evolving set for this very unusual stage.

The two mezzo-sopranos met through the course of their performance work with the Arnold Schoenberg Chor. Their first creative collaboration took place on 12 December 2024 as part of a concept concert where they electrified Baroque arias and duets, performing together with the Purling Streams Ensemble. This repertoire then became the core of their duo work. The two have also collaborated on live performances of Clio’s folktronica compositions.

Clio sings, plays, and electrifies the songs using live electronics, playbacks, triggered files and MIDI controllers, through Ableton Move and Live, with many sounds captured and woven using Logic Pro X. Wielding her expertise in Baroque performance practice, Ilia rounds out these sound worlds through her voice and violin.

Ilia (Photo: Susanne Grunsky) and Clio (Photo: Donald Lee, with background visuals by Hali Rey)