UTOPIA :: 47
If the world is in ruins, what can the music of a 17th century composer do? That is the central question in Utopia :: 47 – a very last Passion. The opera/performance is a two part Passion, in which the last year of the Thirty Years’ War, 1647, is connected with the last year of a future Thirty Years’ War, 2047. For centuries the beauty of spiritual music, as composed by Heinrich Schütz during the Thirty Years’ War was an ultimate harbinger of a better world. But, would we still be receptive to such an ethical appeal in these ultra-postmodern times? What passion would we profess in 2047?
Eric Sleichim: direction, music and scenography
Kurt D’haeseleer: video
Max Bruckert (Grame/Lyon): electronics
Erwin Jans, Jan Vandenhouwe: dramaturgy
Isabelle Lhoas: costumes
Marnix De Cat: rehearsal director
Luc Schaltin: lighting design
Brecht Beuselinck: set design
Cristina Zavalloni: mezzo-soprano
BL!NDMAN [vox]
Griet De Geyter: soprano, turntables
Gunther Vandeven: countertenor, turntables
Tiemo Wang: bass-baritone, turntables
BL!NDMAN [sax]
Koen Maas: soprano sax, e-guitars
Roeland Vanhoorne: alto sax, e-guitars
Piet Rebel: tenor sax, e-guitars
Raf Minten: baritone sax, e-guitars
Ana Cristina Velasquez: interpreter/actress
Jonas De Roover: production and surtitles
Brecht Beuselinck: stage technique
Roel Das: sound engineering
Peter Quasters: video technique
All sounds are generated live during the performance
UTOPIA :: 47 is a production of Muziektheater Transparant & BL!NDMAN, and is commissioned by MA-festival and KlaraFestival and a co-production by MA-festival, KlaraFestival, deSingel, BL!NDMAN and Muziektheater Transparant with the cooperation of Concertgebouw Brugge, Kaaitheater Brussel, Grame Lyon. With thanks to les Ballets C de la B, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, Tristero, Rik Beuselinck, and to Brecht, Jonas, Jonas and Roeland for the guitars
Tracklist
part I – 1647
Heinrich Schütz:
SWV.269: Fili mi Absalon
SWV.401: Mein Sohn, warum hast du uns das getan
SWV.396: Auf dem Gebirge
SWV.336: Quemadmodum desiderat cervus
part II – 2047
Eric Sleichim: Modulo I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII