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
