North American Premiere
De Materie
Louis Andriessen
Heiner Goebbels
International Contemporary Ensemble
Peter Rundel
March 22, 2016 - March 30, 2016
Wade Thompson Drill Hall
Louis Andriessen is one of Europe’s most eminent and influential composers, whose music is marked by the combination of forward propulsion, sparseness, and clarity from large blocks of sound to minimalism. But there is nothing minimal about De Materie, starting with its all-encompassing theme: the relationship between matter and spirit. Like four voluminous chapters of a book or movements of a symphony, this exceptional music theater masterwork is better thought of as a series of visions, as much choreographic as it is operatic.
Visionary director Heiner Goebbels stages this monumental work in a highly-imaginative production that infuses the work’s journey through a sequence of non-narrative tableaus with stunning visual imagery to help convey its meaning, with references to Mondrian and Madame Curie as well as floating zeppelins and a flock of sheep. The International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) under the direction of Peter Rundel takes on the sonically varied score, which serves as its own journey through eras and styles of music history from early Renaissance, to the jazz-tinged roaring 20s, to contemporary music of today. The vastness of the Wade Thompson Drill Hall is the perfect setting to fully realize this rarely-performed work, which premiered more than 25 years ago and only now makes its highly-anticipated North American stage premiere.
Performances
Tuesday–Thursday at 7:30pm
Friday–Saturday at 8:00pm
Run Time
This performance is 1 hour and 50 minutes without intermission.
“Mr. Goebbels’s inspired production brings out the philosophical resonances that run through the work and revels in its literary crosscurrents. And this performance — featuring two fine solo singers; the impressive Chorwerk Ruhr; a roster of dancers; and the brilliant International Contemporary Ensemble — was colorful, exciting and, during reflective episodes, raptly beautiful.”
“...sensuously philosophical. Visually, it’s a triumph… a don’t-miss event.”
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Artists & Creatives
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Composer
Louis Andriessen
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Director
Heiner Goebbels
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Stage and Lighting Designer
Klaus Gruenberg
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Costume Designer
Florence von Gerkan
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Sound Designer
Norbert Ommer
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Dramaturg
Matthias Mohr
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International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
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Conductor
Peter Rundel
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ChorWerk Ruhr
Production Credits
A production of the Ruhrtriennale – Festival of the Arts.
Adapted by Park Avenue Armory.
Related Events
Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 6:00pm
"De Materie": Matter and Spirit
WNYC personality John Schaefer engages director Heiner Goebbels, Columbia University Professor of Music George E. Lewis, and composer Missy Mazzoli in a conversation about the complexities of themes in De Materie.
Friday, March 25, 2016 at 6:00pm
Four Different Ways: Celebrating Louis Andriessen
Bang on a Can co-founder Julia Wolfe, composer Nathan Michel, and Princeton University Professor of Music Donnacha Dennehy join John Schaefer to discuss the wide-ranging impact De Materie composer Louis Andriessen has made on contemporary music.
Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 6:00pm
Artist Talk: De Materie
Composer Louis Andriessen, director Heiner Goebbels, conductor Peter Rundel, and Park Avenue Armory Artistic Director Pierre Audi discuss the creation of De Materie with dramaturg Cori Ellison.
Support
De Materie is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
