A Javanese/Indonesian L’Histoire du Soldat
Goenawan Mohamad versie | Nov 2012 – Yogyakarta, Amsterdam
Goenawan Mohamad versie | Nov 2012 – Yogyakarta, Amsterdam
Choreography, Director, Set Design, Costumes, Light: Gerard Mosterd | ||
Libretto | : | Goenawan Mohamad (based on Ferdinand Ramuz ) |
Translated by | : | Monique Soesman |
Teleplay | : | Azuzan Jg Gontarela |
Music | : | Igor Stravinsky |
Music Performed | : | Insomnio Ensemble conducted by Ulrich Pohl |
Advisors | : | Didik Nini Thowok , Karolien de Pauw, Fransien van der Putt |
Performers | : | Rury Avianti , Hendro Yulyanto , Martinus Miroto , Rudy Wowor |
Duration | : | Approx 70 minutes |
Performances | : | 31 October 2012, Langgeng Foundation, Yogyakarta (Opening tryout in Yogyakarta without live music ensemble) 17 November 2012, KIT Tropentheater Amsterdam 18 November 2012, The Flint Amersfoort + workshops + reading |
Sponsor | : | FPK, Langgeng Foundation, Karta Pustaka, Erasmus House, Indonesian Contemporary Arts Network, KUNCI, Duta Garden Guest House Yogyakarta |
Production | : | Insomnio |
[unitegallery lhistoire_amsterdam]
An Indonesian/Javanese version of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat modernist music. Stravinsky wrote this visionary, demanding work during the postwar crisis in 1918 for a group of poor, unemployed artists and musicians. As a one of a kind, travelling theatre production with a political content it historically paved the way for social critical music theatre productions during the radical Interbellum period such as Bertold Brecht’s. of a soldier selling his soul (violin) to the devil. An indictment to the corrupting power of money. Stravinsky invented this interdisciplinary production for a compact, mobile ensemble with the instruction to represent it throughout the world with the use of the local cultural context. There is, for example,an Eskimo version. 2011 in Yogyakarta, and experienced a fully booked and acclaimed tour along Javanese theatres. A new, improved version of this production will be launched now with another, new star cast. This time with a specially made and more contemporary text by worldwide acclaimed Indonesian poet, journalist and activist Goenawan Mohamad.
The text is spoken in Indonesian by Rudy Wowor but a Dutch translation will be projected simultaneously. is turned into a more abstract representation with historical, visual and narrative references and metaphors. This connects the original story with today’s reality such as the socio-political situation in contemporary Indonesia. Hereby enabling Stravinsky’s wish to move his music and concept into a different cultural environment. was a major challenge, not without risk. The Indonesian performing arts world is characterized by a lack of infrastructure and chaotic situations where rapid improvisation is needed.
The choice to work with Javanese dancers for this project is very unusual. Their training in pre-Islamic, Hindu based dance forms guarantees expertise in sophisticated finger, hand and head movements in a traditionally slow and steady pace with much improvisation. This is contrary to the swirling, highly individualist and irregular but exceedingly exact music of Stravinsky. A great contrast resulting into a unique result performed by outstanding performers from the central-Javanese dance world. renowned performing artists. True masters in Javanese court dance. Pustaka, Komunitas Salihara, Kedai Kebun Forum, Didik Nini Thowok, Dutch Fund for the Performing Arts, Duta Garden Guest House Yogyakarta Garasi, Anggi Minarni, DCMC / Raymond Vievermans, Nilu Ignatia, Aprilia Ekasari and Ratna Sari Tanuwijaya. tour starting next season.
World Premiere new version:
Saturday, November 17 Tropentheater Amsterdam
19:30 Brief Introduction
20: 00 show
Sunday, November 18, the Theatre Flint Amersfoort
19:30 Brief Introduction
20: 00 show
These two pilot performances will eventually result in a wider global
www.tropentheater.nl
www.theaterdeflint.nl
www.insomnio.nl
www.goenawanmohamad.com
www.kantorpos.nl
www.gerardmosterd.org
*** Telegraaf
” The famous l’Histoire du Soldat by Stravinsky has received an Indonesian version “
*** Els Borst
(Publicist, scientist and Javanese dance expert)
” Last night I often sit chuckle at the humor in L’Histoire du Soldat. I also enjoyed the poetry in the design (textual, musical, choreographic and movement). Well done! “
*** Roderik de Man
(Contemporary composer and former teacher Royal Conservatory)
” Wonderful idea, thanks! Very beautiful in design and humor certainly not lacking, sometimes even hilarious. Fantastic dancers and a beautiful integration of dance cultures. BRAVO! “
*** Marc Jonkers
Director Circus Training CODARTS (-ex founder Holland Dance Festival, director Springdance, Komische Oper, National Ballet Portugal)
” Exciting and interesting presentation “
*** Bianca Kuijper
Business leader festival coordinator Festival Cinemasia
” What a topvoorstelling! Did the surprising twists fun and movement and quality of the dancers fantastic. “
*** Ricci Scheldwacht
Publicist journalist
” Great idea. I liked the dance the most beautiful and sometimes very intense (it did for me do not even told as much). But it also gave it a separate combination, in which references to wayangvoorstelling “
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*** Jan Linkens
Artistic Director International Dance Theatre
” Great idea. All approached me and was well executed as well as dance music Very pleased that there were so many people ”