Achilleus

This opera, with a libretto by Imme Dros, was composed in 2001-2002 on commission from Muziektheater Transparant in co-production with Het Paleis and the Flemish Opera. It premiered in March 2003 at the Flemish Opera (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen) in Antwerp. ACHILLEUS was translated into Danish and performed several times at the Opera in Copenhagen in February 2006. The cast consists of seven voices (soprano, mezzo, tenor, countertenor, baritone, bass-baritone, bass), a children's choir, and an instrumental ensemble consisting of flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano (synthesizer), percussion, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and electronics. It is a quasi-through-composed opera consisting of an overture, four scenes and a finale. Everything in this opera revolves around “conflicts” (contrasts). These not only apply to the dramatic events of the opera, but are also linked to all musical parameters. People - Gods Greeks-Trojans - Ares-Aphrodite Victory - Loss (Agitato - Lamento) Chaos - Order At a time when musicals for children and young people were particularly successful, Wim Henderickx wanted to offer an alternative with this opera: a contemporary work combining music, theatre, video and electronics. The storyline (determined together with Imme Dros) is based on the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey”, with Achilles as the protagonist. The directness of the music (lots of variety, clear musical atmospheres, etc.) was an important starting point when composing. “Leitmotifs” (linked to a character or a particular emotion) serve as musical landmarks. He used various contemporary techniques. Distorted children's songs (sung by the children's choir) provide a link to the more recognisable “tonal” music. The tape consists of manipulated sounds that are projected into the space by means of spatialisation effects. The aim of achieving optimal intelligibility of the text helps to unravel this complex Greek tragedy.