The Midnight Verdict - An Orpheus Story
TAP - Scène nationale de Grand Poitiers
Image: Nadia Diz Grana
How does one of the most iconic ancient myths in Western culture resonate with today's world?
"The Midnight Verdict" is a choreographic poem in 3 tableaux, inspired by the myth of Orpheus, in its rich and eovcative translation by Irish poet and Nobel Prize winner for literature Seamus Heaney. The work questions otherness, our relationships with others, but also the notions of dialogue, listening and trust.
Initiated by Hungarian guitarist Katalin Koltai, an artist associated with the Contemporary Music Centre, and supported by the Ars Nova ensemble, the project "The Midnight Verdict" sees three contemporary composers - Gregory Vajda, Benoît Sitzia and Deirdre McKay - each focus on one of the facets of the Orpheus myth. Under the musical direction of Gregory Vajda, 7 Ars Nova performers bring their sonic poetry to life, imbued with Irish, Hungarian and French folk elements.
Echoing the figure of Orpheus and his lyre, the ensemble will be joined on stage by soloist Katalin Koltai and her "Ligeti Guitar" - equipped with a clever mechanism that allows it to overcome the technical limitations of the classical guitar to open up new sound spaces - and Franco-Iranian santourist Farnaz Modarresifar: two atypical artists and two instruments with enchanting sounds that create a link between contemporary classical music and traditional instrumental practices.
Throughout the evening, poetry and music coexist on stage, illuminating Orpheus' journey between Heaven and Earth.
CO-PRODUCTION:
Ars Nova ensemble , executive producer
Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland
TAP - Grand Poitiers National Scene
WITH THE PARTNERSHIP & SUPPORT OF
DIAPHONIQUE, the Franco-British-Irish fund for contemporary music
Centre Arvo Pärt - Estonia
BIAF - Belfast International Arts Festival
ARTISTIC DIRECTION: Benoît Sitzia, Gregory Vajda & Katalin Koltai
FEATURED ARTISTS:
7 performers from the Ars Nova ensemble: Pierre-Simon Chévry, flute; Eric Lamberger, clarinet; Cedric Bonnet, horn; Isabelle Cornélis, percussion; Catherine Jacquet, violin; Benoît Morel, viola; Isabelle Veyrier, cello; Farnaz Modarresifar, santour.
Katalin Koltai, Ligeti Guitar
Gregory Vajda, musical director
Programme
The Midnight Verdict
Choreographic poem in 3 scenes
1) Orpheus and Eurydice - composed by Benoît Sitzia (France)
2) The Midnight Verdict - composed by Deirdre McKay (Ireland)
3) The Death of Orpheus - composed by Gregory Vajda (Hungary)
DURATION 1h15 without intermission
Tickets
€3-23. Booking available at TAP - Scène Nationale de Grand Poitiers.
This project is supported by Diaphonique, the Franco-British-Irish fund for contemporary music in partnership with Sacem, les Amis de l’Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the British Council, l’Institut français, l’Institut français du Royaume-Uni, le Centre national de la musique, Culture Ireland and the Francis and Mica Salabert Foundation.
