NEIGE

Catherine Kontz (*1976)

From the novel “Neige” by  Maxence Fermine
Libretto by Catherine Kontz
Création mondiale
In French and Japanese, with subtitles in French and English

After Der Turm in 2011, the Théâtres de la Ville once again support the work of a Luxembourg composer in 2013. Catherine Kontz was inspired by certain aspects of Japanese Kabuki theatre to create her first opera Neige. Based on the novel by Maxence Fermine of the same title, the story recounts the adventures of a 19th century haiku poet who comes across a blind painter, a tragic samurai warrior and a French tight-rope walker.

The multidisciplinary production features five soloists, a small female choir, a dancer and an acrobat. The music is provided by Luxembourgbased ensemble Lucilin, who impressed audiences last year in the production of The Raven and with whom the Théâtres de la Ville are thus continuing their collaboration.

As with her previous theatre work, Catherine Kontz will direct the piece herself but has assembled an impressive creative team around her from her London connections. Avant-garde studio Knifedge will create the projections and Conductor in Residence for the British National Youth Orchestra Gerry Cornelius will be in charge of the music while award-winning theatre designer Ellan Parry will be responsible for set and costumes. Together they will try to create a magical and beautiful landscape with mountains made out of fabric and cutting-edge projections inspired by Japanese painting and calligraphy.

Direction musicale Gerry Cornelius
Mise en scène Catherine Kontz
Collaboration à la mise en scène Keiko Sumida
Scénographie & costumes Ellan Parry
Créateur Vidéo Timothy Bird
Lumières Kristina Hjelm 

Yuko Akita Rodrigo Ferreira
Père Akita Edward Grint
Dignitaire de la Cour & Horoshi Vincent Pavesi
Maître Soseki Omar Ebrahim
Neige Juliet Fraser
Neige jeune / Flocon du printemps Katharina Dröscher
Soseki jeune Reveriano Camil

Orchestre United Instruments of Lucilin

Chœur de femmes Lilith Verhelst (Soprano I), Coline Dutilleul (Soprano II), Dana Luccock ( Mezzo-soprano I), Anaïs Brullez (Mezzo-soprano II)

Instrumentalistes Philipp Marguerre (Glasharmonica), Akinori Fujimoto (Taiko drums) 

Répétiteur piano Klauspeter Bungert

Régie générale Sabine Konz

Production créée le 19 décembre 2013 au Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg

Production Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg
Coproduction United Instruments of Lucilin
Collaboration Catherine Kontz Productions asbl
Avec le soutien de l’Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, Ministère de la Culture, de la Fondation Indépendance, FOCUNA (Fond Culturel National) & SACEM

Thursday 19 DÉCEMBER 2013 à 20h00

Friday 20 DÉCEMBER 2013 à 20h00 
 
Estimated time 1h10 plus interval

Introduction à l’opéra par Catherine Kontz (compositrice et metteure en scène) & Guy Frisch (de l’Orchestre United Instruments of Lucilin) une demi-heure avant chaque représentation (en langue française)