A stormy journey full of virtuosity and drama marks the new work Odysseus by two Dutch artists: Calliope Tsoupaki (Composer of the Fatherland) and Awoiska van der Molen (visual artist/photographer).Odysseus confront us with the consequences of our human actions.
Odysseus - by Calliope Tsoupaki, premiere. - 10 Nov to 2 Dec
What happens when we are in danger of losing control, when an action leads to irreversible consequences? The musical drama Odysseus is inspired by a pivotal moment in the myth of Odysseus' journey. He is given a bag of headwinds, so that he never suffers headwinds on the way himself. But the headwinds escape and develop into an uncontrollable storm. Against his better judgement, Odysseus always does the wrong thing and thus brings disaster upon himself. In this, Tsoupaki sees a parallel with current events: 'For decades we have been hearing from scientists how to prevent a climate crisis, but we refuse to listen and are wilfully heading for a catastrophe.'
With Odysseus Calliope and Awoiska confront us with the consequences of our human actions in the here and now.
Projection of photographic images, made on Greek ground, enhance the musical emotions. Calliope uses the virtuosity and musicality of the musicians of Asko|Schönberg to express the movement and tension of this epic and give it a musical drama. The inability to stand still anywhere - the constant headwind - creates a dynamic musical form with constant change.
ASKO|SCHÖNBERG
Calliope Tsoupaki - Odysseus - world premiere, commission Asko|Schönberg
Awoiska van der Molen projections/photography
This programme was made possible by the Mondriaan Fund. The composition was created with support from Fund Performing Arts.
Wednesday, 10 Nov 19:00 November Music, Den Bosch Verkadefabriek
Thursday 11 Nov 20:15, Amsterdam Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
Wednesday, 17 Nov 20:00, Utrecht TivoliVredenburg
Thursday 2 Dec 20:15, Rotterdam De Doelen
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