photo: Marek Dusza
Iannis Xenakis's Oresteia directed by Michał Zadara premieres at Grand Theatre - National Opera in Warsaw. Zadara who in 2008 received the Polityka Passport Award in Theatre category is debuting on the opera stage. It will be also the first staging of Xenakis opera in Poland.
The vision of Iannis Xenakis, a Greek composer, architect, music theoretician and philosopher, joins contemporary classical music, ancient Greek tragedy and Japanese Noh theatre. In Xenakis's Oresteia, the ritual dimension of drama initiating the history of European theatre brings together ancient and contemporary elements. Inspired by the Orthodox Church singing, using unusual instrumental sounds and vocal parlando, the composer alternately provokes and charms the listener. The statuesque, sombre score of Oresteia aiming at revoking the ceremonial beginnings of the theatre drew interest of Michał Zadara, a director known for his original interpretations of classical texts. In 2008, Zadara was presented a "Polityka" Passport Award in Theatre category for "impressively creative activity, productions allowing to believe that the theatre is a space of artistic freedom".
Oresteia interpreted by Zadara becomes a metaphore of Polish history.
" 'Oresteia' is a tale about the source of our political identity. Strangely enough, this source is identical with the beginnings of Athenian democracyas shown by Aeschylus. The State emerges as a consequence of the Great War which has been won, but which led to an utter devastation of the country. The war was followed by a series of ruthless murders and treasons; after that we dropped the idea of vengeance on traitors in order to live wealthy, peaceful life. For Athens, it's the Trojan War that marks these beginnings, for Poland - it's World War 2," says the director. " 'Oresteia' is a founding myth of every society. Since we're trying to tell our history the story starts with the establishing of Polish People's Republic and ends with Gierek, one of the last Secretaries of the Party. This is when Poland switched from the strong ideological, political, and historical discourse and steered towards the post-political discourse, which says simply that ideology doesn't count any more: now, it's all about wealth and well-being of citizens, the opinions and values having no gravity or import. Today, we live in a society which has this policy at its core, and 'Oresteia' is telling us, how we got here," says Zadara.
The story starts when Agamemnon arrives home after the victorious Trojan War. Gradually, the complex relations of Agamemnon and his family come to surface: his wife, Clytemnestra, is jealous about his concubine, Cassandra, and her prophetic gifts.
Running time: 1 hr 30 min.
Shows: March 14, 16, 25; April 7, 10, 2010
Cast:
Cassandra - Holger Falk
Coryphaeus - Tobias Hagge
Acted episodes - Barbara Wysocka, Juliusz Donajski, Sean Palmer, Mariusz Zaniewski
Chorus and Orchestra of the Polish National OperaAlla Polacca Choir
- Oresteia by Iannis Xenakis. Opera (1965-66, revised in 1989-92); libretto: after Aeschylus. Premiere of this production: March 14, 2010; Direction: Michał Zadara, Conductor: Franck Ollu, Set Design: Robert Rumas,Costumes: Julia Kornacka, Movement: Tomasz Wygoda, Chorus Master: Bogdan Gola,Alla Polacca Choir Master: Sabina Włodarska, Lights: Artur Sienicki, Projections: Thomas Harzem, Polish text: Jakub Porcari, Michał Zadara, Daniel Przastek, Federico Montinaro; Cast: Cassandra - Holger FalkCoryphaeus - Tobias Hagge; acted episodes: Barbara Wysocka, Juliusz Donajski, Sean Palmer, Mariusz Zaniewski; Original language version with Polish surtitles.
Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa
pl. Teatralny 1, 00-950 Warszawa
Dyrektor naczelny: Waldemar Dąbrowski
Dyrektor artystyczny: Mariusz Treliński
tel. (+48 22) 692 02 00
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www.teatrwielki.pl
Source: www.teatrwielki.pl, PAP.