Il Fondamento
Performers
Paul Dombrecht, oboe & artistic direction
In recent years Antwerp based Dez Mona have made a name for themselves in Belgium and beyond. They’re known for their acoustic music based on a combination of jazz, gospel, tango and torch songs, but it’s Gregory Frateur’s mind-blowing vocal abilities that really deliver the goods. These days however, the collective have come up with a surprising new project. ‘Sága’ stands midway between a modern opera and a song cycle, and deals with ‘homecoming’ as its main theme. The songs emanate from the continuous search for ideal geographical and spiritual surroundings. By looking into the past, Dez Mona try to explain the current state of affairs. But more than anything, their latest work is a poetic reflection on what is happening here and now.
‘Sága’ springs from an alliance with BOX, a classically trained ensemble that almost exclusively makes use of baroque instruments. The latter yield sounds and textures seldomly heard in contemporary popular music. But even though the harpsichord, viola da gamba, baroque harp and theorbe (a lute like, stringed instrument) play a prominent role in the songs, to most listeners Dez Mona’s musical universe will remain familiar.
This charity concert is organised by AMUZ. All funds raised will go to Music For Life 2011. Sága is a coproduction between deSingel, KlaraFestival & Operadagen Rotterdam.
At the beginning of the 18th century London was an important cultural centre attracting musicians from all the corners of the world. Performers played in full swing, contributing to the ambiance of concert life, and composers had their works performed or printed there. Thus for example Georg Friedrich Händel from Germany, Francesco Mancini and Arcangelo Corelli from Italy, Charles Dieupart from France and John Loeillet, a native of Ghent. From this melting pot Per Flauto distilled a varied programme with a cast that was very popular in London, namely recorder, harpsichord and viol. Many musicians who played in orchestras used to perform besides in chamber music ensembles during the intermezzos of theatre and opera performances, or in concerts that were organized separately. Their example created an enormous market of amateurs who were eagerly searching for scores. All this industry resulted in a rich literature: enough materials for an opulent baroque concert in intimate strength!
Performers
Nicholas Milne, viol | Herman Stinders, harpsichord | Bart Coen, recorder & artistic direction
Programme
Georg Friedrich Händel, Francesco Mancini, Arcangelo Corelli, John Loeillet, Andrew Parcham & Charles Dieupart
Zefiro Torna’s latest production of music theatre Shadows is inspired by the liturgical tradition of the tenebrae for Holy Week. This ritual happens before sunrise in a chapel illuminated only by thirteen candles. As the break of day approaches, the candles are extinguished one by one. They are the symbols of the apostles who deserted Christ immediately before his death. At dawn the morning light takes over again, reminding us of the resurrection of Christ and the coming of spring. Shadows embarks on a quest for the interior, emotional aspect of the play of shadows. Music by Jeroen D’hoe (laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for composition in 2003) and a live performance of calligrapher Brody Neuenschwander (noted for his collaboration with film director Peter Greenaway) combine into a lyrical meditation about transience. An intriguing performance about light, darkness and all shades in between.
Performers
Brody Neuenschwander, live calligraphy | Griet De Geyter, soprano & percussion | Els Van Laethem, soprano, percussion & tromba marina | Benjamin Glorieux, cello | Jurgen De bruyn, lute, theorbo, voice & artistic direction | Jeroen D’hoe, composition & libretto | Tom Hannes, mis-en-scène (commissioned by Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen)