04-Apr / 1 COMMENTS

Last February I had the pleasure to perform with one of the best orchestras in The Netherlands: Musica Poëtica, directed by Jörn Boysen at the Royal Schouwburg. The programme Zangers en Acteurs, part of their 4 part new series at the theater, was based on real 18 century singers who were also actors, or actors who sang (depends on how one looks at it), and focused on the French and English schools of theater. The programme felt like a love child. The orchestra was exquisite, it even felt at times as though it spoke to the audience. What touched me the most was their play with time. It’s very rare to hear an ensemble play rubato  or sprezzatura- in such a way that supports a narrative or a passion to such an extent. I got to perform scenes I was dreaming to work on for years- delve into the singing and historical acting in equal measure!

 

This week we’ll be coming back to The Koninklijke Schouwburg with the programme “Le Roy Danse” (Friday 8/4 at 20.00 @ Rotterdam, Pro Rege  & 10/4 at 11.00 @ Den Haag, Koninklijke Schouwburg).  There will be music by Lully, original dances by Pecour , yours truly acting and declaiming and many more treats.

 

Here’s a tiny snippet  from our last programme: “The quality of mercy” from Shakespeare’s “The merchant of Venice” [Act IV scene I]