Revelations is a multimedia production based on the striking visions of the 13th-century poetess and mystic Hadewijch d’Anvers (s.d. - 1248).
Hers are among the most astonishing writings in the history of our literature. In her visions, in the tradition of mediaeval Christian mysticism, she describes an ecstatic loving relationship with the divine Other, the key word is passion.
In a setting in which the soprano Lore Binon is placed opposite five female singers of Cappella Amsterdam, this work seeks out the power of visionary experiences and ecstasy in our contemporary context.
Wim Henderickx composed this new work (2017) in which we hear the inspiration taken from mediaeval and Renaissance music for female voices.

Following VOID and THE QUEEN WITHOUT A COUNTRY, Wim Henderickx is once again collaborating with the director Wouter Van Looy / Muziektheater Transparant.
Performers: Soprano Lore Binon, Cappella Amsterdam, Marc Tooten (viola), Karin de Fleyt (flute), Wim Henderickx (percussion), Jorrit Tamminga (electronics) and Kurt d'Haeseleer (video).

Produced by Muziektheater Transparant
co-produced by deSingel, Opera Days Rotterdam, HERMESensemble and Cappella Amsterdam

RECORDINGS

Full Cd Wim Henderickx
CD 'Revelations'
for soprano, female choir, musical ensemble & electronics
by Lore Binon, Vlaams Radiokoor, HERMESensemble, Jorrit Tamminga
& Muziektheater Transparant
conductor Wim Henderickx
Label Antarctica
Physical CD: www.challengerecords.com
Digital CD: orcd.co

> Review De Volkskrant (19-02-2021):

English translation:

'In 2017 Muziektheater Transparant premiered Revelations, a work from Flemish composer Wim Henderickx. He composed a 'multi-media missa brevis', a short mass that he organized for soprano, women's choir, small ensemble and electronics. Operadagen Rotterdam also showed how Henderickx had been inspired by the visions of the 13th-century Brabant mysic Hadewijch.
Where she turns up in the arts, things can go wrong. Before you know, you'll be listening to neo-medieval, angelic singing atmospheres that are as pious as they are yawning. Henderickx is not bothered by this.
Admittedly, a halo sometimes shimmers around the ladies of the Flemish Radio Choir and solo soprano Lore Binon. But Henderickx is too crafty a composer to be satisfied with clichés.
Thanks to another source of inspiration, the 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi, he smuggles in spicy flute, string and drum sounds. The HermesEnsemble delivers them virtuoso.
Beautiful ending too, with fading female voices and dull drum in an electronic soundscape by Jorrit Tamminga. No idea what Lore Binon is mumbling there, but how beautifully she dissolves in the mist of time.'

SCORE

Norsk Musikforlag (publisher)

INSTRUMENTATION / EXTRA INFORMATION

REVELATIONS (2016)
for music theatre (+/- 70')
commissioned by Muziektheater Transparant in coproduction with deSingel, Operadagen Rotterdam,
HERMESensemble & Cappella Amsterdam.
World premiere: 21 April 2017, deSingel Antwerp - Opera21 Festival
Wim Henderickx, composition, percussion and musical direction
Veerle Fraeters, dramaturgy
Wouter Van Looy, director
Lore Binon, soprano
Cappella Amsterdam, choir
HERMESensemble, instrumental ensemble
Jorrit Tamminga, electronics
Kurt d’Haeseleer, video