Gaby Amarantos debuts as narrator and celebrates challenge: 'I love leaving my comfort zone'

Now, the story takes on a new look: an audio series with a cinematic treatment, dozens of actors and accents from all regions of Brazil, betting on the power of the voice to also win over those who have already exchanged part of their reading time for headphones.

The production, by Audible, premieres on July 23, during Flip (Paraty International Literary Festival), and will be available free of charge for three months. Gaby Amarantos narrates the story, while Matheus Nachtergaele plays the wise Major, Mateus Solano plays the ambitious Napoleon and Adanilo voices the character Bola de Neve.

For Gaby, the invitation represented an opportunity to experience completely new career territory. Accustomed to the stage, television and cinema, she says she immersed herself in the experience precisely for the challenge.

"I was very happy with the euphoria that insecurity gave me in doing something very new. It was a very challenging project and also a lot of discovery. I thought: 'Wow, I can do this too'. I love getting out of my comfort zone", he says.

According to the singer, the production also drew attention for the artistic freedom offered during recording. She says that she tried to bring characteristics of her own identity into the narrative, including the Pará accent and elements of musicality that marked her trajectory.

"I love literature and I really like the power of the voice. Being able to use this instrument to tell a story was a delight. The team gave me a lot of freedom to express my way of speaking, my references, my flavor. I think it's beautiful to see this look at Brazilianness, to hear so many different accents and realize how this brings people closer to history."

In Gaby's view, this format can also serve as a gateway for new readers at a time when attention is competing for space with cell phones and social networks. "We live in a time where there are so many screens that people have difficulty stopping to read. I think audiobooks can help a lot of people reconnect with literature."

Matheus Nachtergaele also celebrated the project. The actor plays the person responsible for starting the animal revolution and says he accepted the invitation immediately because he saw the work as one of the great classics of political literature.

"It's a fable of political formation that spans decades with incredible strength. I received this invitation with joy, desire and a lot of desire to participate. The Major is a delightful character, an old, wise pig who sows beautiful ideas and then sees their fate in the hands of others."

Nachtergaele states that the adaptation preserves the essence of the book while gaining a Brazilian identity thanks to the cast made up of artists from different regions.

"It was an opportunity to Brazilianize this fable with a cast full of different accents. Orwell wrote a timeless story about how good ideas can be corrupted when power changes hands. This remains extremely current."

During recording, the actor says he completely immersed himself in the character. "I imagined that big, tired, good-natured pig. While recording, I made gestures, movements, I incorporated the entire character. Whoever was watching laughed because I really turned into a pig in the studio." Matthew Solano also returns to George Orwell's universe after participating in the audio adaptation of "1984". This time, he gives voice to the antagonist Napoleon and claims that the project expands the reach of literature.

"It's a classic. I was very happy to return to Orwell's universe and experience this format again. I think Audible creates an opportunity for many more people to have access to such an important work."

The actor believes that the growth of audiobooks accompanies a change in public behavior, but makes one caveat: they should spark interest in books, not replace them.

"I hope this type of production does not replace reading", he observes. "Reading continues to be a unique experience. But the audiobook can act as an invitation to discover more authors, more stories and awaken this desire for literature."

For Nachtergaele, the power of audio lies precisely in what it does not show. "When you listen to a story, there is still a lot of space to imagine. You hear the voice, but you need to paint the scenes inside your own head", he highlights. "I think it's beautiful because the imagination continues to work."

Read Also: Influencer Lito Sousa reveals cancer diagnosis and says he will undergo surgery