HERMESensemble, Koen Kessels, Lise Bruyneel
The Sinking of the Titanic
The Sinking of the Titanic by Gavin Bryars is one of the most iconic works to come out of European minimalism. In a trip of just over an hour, the composer evokes the tragic sinking of the luxury liner and the musicians on board, who played on undeterred. The audience is sucked into the depths, along with the ship. But this is no menacing briny deep; rather, it’s a blissful infinity in which you can completely lose yourself.
The HERMESensemble musicians are working directly with the composer to create their new version of this masterpiece, and our in-house artist Lise Bruyneel will supply a surplus of scenery. To make the feeling of space as impressive as possible, this concert will take place in Het Depot.
Performers
HERMESensemble
HERMESensemble is driven by curiosity about the now. It was founded in 2000 by Koen Kessels, driven by adventure and the urge to tread untrodden artistic paths. The ensemble tells the musical story from 1950 to 2050 and studies recent evolutions in musical performance practice. HERMESensemble researches, interprets, creates and innovates. It offers creative and performing young talent the opportunity to push the boundaries of musical art in co-creation.
Koen Kessels
Koen Kessels is artistic director of HERMESensemble, music director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and of the Royal Ballet and Opera House Covent Garden, and guest conductor at the Opéra National de Paris. Kessels has collaborated closely with composers such as Luc Brewaeys, Wim Henderickx, Kaija Saariaho and Annelies Van Parys. His operatic repertoire includes both well-known operas and contemporary music theatre. Kessels is a member of the artistic board of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp.
Lise Bruyneel
Lise Bruyneel designs publications and communication projects for the performing arts, curates alternative art projects and creates video art during classical concerts. In a creative and emotional way, often rhythmic, she stands at the interface between artists and the public. From her earlier career as a cellist, finding the right image for a performance, to creating video collages or devising which poetic project will appeal to passers-by on the street.
Tickets
€ 25