04, 05, 07 & 08 February 2015 at La Monnaie (Brussels)
Exciting news! The season to come, 2014-2015 season, the Brussels opera house La Monnaie presents the world premiere of a new opera based on the album Medúlla of the singer Björk. This particular production is created by the Netherlands-based director Sjaron Minailo (Studio Minailo) and sung by including Roberta Alexander and Kevin Walton (both based in the Netherlands). A large part of the artistic team comes from the Netherlands, including composers Anat Spiegel (musical arrangement) and Henry Vega (electronics). The costume and set design is in the hands of the Danish fashion designer Hernik Vibskov.
‘What happened before we got involved in problematic things like civilization, religion and nationhood ?’ In her conceptual album Medúlla, Icelandic artist Björk returns to a pagan universe that is entirely human. Björk’s composition for a cappella voices explores a huge array of vocal techniques, from throat-singing and choruses to beatboxing and pop harmonies.
Released in 2004, the album was her reaction to counter the outbreaks of racism and neo-nationalism after the 9/11 attacks. A decade later, an ensemble of singers representing different generations – children and youth choirs next to senior opera singers – unites to redefine in meditative images what Björk named ‘medúlla’ – ‘an ancient spirit that’s passionate and dark, a spirit that survives’ – the basic element of human condition that unites us all, despite different beliefs, origins, nations and ages.
Credits
Composer: Björk
Music direction: Bassem Akiki
Director: Sjaron Minailo
Set design & costumes: Hendrik Vibskov
Lighting: Maarten Warmerdam
Dramaturgy: Krystian Lada
New vocal arrangements: Anat Spiegel
Live electronics: Henry Vega
Conductor of the children s chorus: Denis Menier
Youth chorus direction: Benoît Giaux
Soloists: Roberta Alexander
Soloists: Kevin Walton
Chorus: La Maitrise & La Choraline Production La Monnaie / De Munt
Ticket sales starting on 02/12/2014 More info
http://www.lamonnaie.be
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