In a startling revelation, Laura Intravia, a respected composer and vocalist known for her work on prominent video games such as Destiny 2, Mortal Kombat, and Darksiders 3, has taken to social media to denounce the unauthorized sale of her sheet music. Intravia, who has a significant role in the gaming music industry, expressed her frustration online upon finding out that her carefully crafted arrangements were being distributed and performed by orchestras without her permission.
The controversy centers around a special arrangement, the Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley, which Intravia produced for the Video Games Live (VGL) collaborative effort. This project, spearheaded by Tommy Tallarico, sought to bring video game music to the concert hall. However, Intravia recently discovered that the sheet music for her medley had been sold to various orchestras, seemingly by Tallarico, who hadn't secured legal ownership over the arrangements from her.
Through a series of tweets, Intravia voiced her grievances, insinuating without explicitly naming him that Tallarico was responsible for the sales. She highlighted that she had never signed a contract giving anyone exclusive rights to the sheet music, bringing to light a disconcerting issue in the field of creative rights. This is a serious claim, as it would mean that these arrangements were sold under false pretenses, which not only is a breach of trust between creators and their partners but also carries legal implications.
She was dismayed by the lack of action taken by orchestras, noting that despite the opportunity to do the right thing and remove her arrangements from their programs, they chose not to do so, even going as far as transcribing her flute solos by ear to add insult to injury. Intravia's disapproval of this act is palpable as an artist passionately devoted to her craft. When queried about possible legal action, she expressed doubts, implying that the person responsible for the sales might be misrepresenting the situation to the orchestras, complicating potential legal recourse.
The Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley, a centerpiece of this debate, was originally showcased during a Video Games Live event in 2011. The medley not only showcases Intravia's talents as a composer and arranger but also features her performance on the flute, adding a personal touch to the composition. It's a piece that she clearly holds close to her heart, making the unauthorized sale of the sheet music more grievous.
Tommy Tallarico, the figure at the center of Intravia's allegations, has a significant profile in the video game music world. He was once the CEO of Intellivision and stepped down after the company's Amico console failed to reach the market. He has since been in the news for a host of other issues, including putting his house up for sale and facing lawsuits over office furniture, further clouding his professional image.
As the situation unfolds, the attention of the gaming and music communities remains fixed on the handling of this sensitive matter. Many are curious to see what steps Intravia may take to assert her rights and whether Tallarico or any involved parties will respond to these claims. It's a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the intellectual property of artists, no matter the medium or industry, and the need for proper channels to manage the distribution of creative works.
The disclosure by Intravia has sparked a dialogue on intellectual property among musicians, composers, and content creators in the gaming industry, emphasizing the necessity for clear contracts and ethical practices when dealing with someone else's creations. It's a conversation that, while difficult, could lead to necessary reforms in the management of artistic works.
Within this discourse lies the critical message for partners in artistic endeavors to honor the original creators' rights, respect the creative process, and engage in fair business practices. As the details of the incident involving Intravia's arrangements continue to surface, the community waits to witness the resolution of this complex issue and, hopefully, a fair outcome for all parties involved.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
