Requiem

for soprano, baritone, mixed choir, children's choir ad lib. and instrumental ensemble

subtitle

A new version of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem

year of composition

2016

duration

ca 45'

text

REQUIEM is based on the work of the same name by Gabriel Fauré. This new Requiem was commissioned by Opera Ballet Flanders in 2016 as part of the dance production EAST, in which three choreographers who find themselves on the borderline between East and West make this constant search a theme. The Anglo-Bengali Akram Khan, the Israeli Ohad Naharin and the Belgian-Moroccan Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui created this performance EAST together. For Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and dancers from Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Wim Henderickx composed a new version of Fauré's Requiem. A soprano and bass-baritone, eight musicians from the HERMESensemble, qanun player Osama Abdulrasol, a children's choir and a mixed choir from Opera Ballet Vlaanderen premiered this performance on 18 March 2017, followed by 11 performances in Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges. The work is entirely devoted to fusion, with great respect for the respective traditions. The Requiem as a serene and contemplative plea for the liberation of mankind.

instrumentation

Flute (also Alto flute), Clarinet in Bb (also Bass Clarinet in Bb), Horn, Harmonium, Soprano, Baritone, Children's choir ad lib., Mixed choir, Harp, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double bass, Qanun

first performance date

18.03.2017

first performance place

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium

first performance by

HERMESensemble (8 players), Osama Abdulrasol (qanun), Amel Brahim Djelloul (soprano), Simon Schmidt (baritone), Choir and children's choir of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, dancers of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

conductor

Jan Schweiger

director

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (choreographer)

ismn number

9790065144498

commissioned by

commissioned by Opera Ballet Vlaanderen