After arethusa (2020)

CHORAL     10:00

INSTRUMENTATION

SATB chorus, electronics

After Arethusa was co-commissioned by accentus choir and Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier. It premiered at the 2021 Venice Biennale by accentus, under the baton of Marcus Creed, with countertenor Guilhem Tereail as soloist. A filmed version was created by the choir of the Opéra de Montpellier under the baton of Rebecca Tong, with alto Anthea Pichanick as soloist.

An ancient Greek myth tells how the nymph Arethusa became water: escaping rape, she dissolved into a stream and, vanishing through the earth, reemerged as a sacred fountain. After Arethusa, an original text by Cordelia Lynn, is a retelling of the myth that imagines a consensual rather than a violent realm for the moment of metamorphosis, playing on notions of fluidity and liquidity to create a sensual description of physical love.

In her setting, Sivan Eldar situates the choir as observers who muse on Arethusa’s transformation, echoing Lynn’s themes. As the musings turn intimate, Lynn’s main text emerges as the story told through the voice of Arethusa herself.

More information about the work HERE (including score rental).

Accentus toured After Arethusa alongside Kaija Saariaho’s Reconnaissance. A joint interview is available HERE.

Concert sans public : 27 février 2021
Opéra Berlioz / Le Corum - Montpellier
Chœur de l’Opéra national Montpellier Occitanie
Rebecca Tong, direction
Plus d'informations...

Création mondiale : 24 Septembre 2021 
Biennale de Venise - Théâtre Alle Tese 
Chœur Accentus
Marcus Creed, direction
Plus d'informations...

Création hollandaise : 13 Novembre 2021 
November Music Festival - Grote Kerk
Marcus Creed, direction
Plus d'informations...

Création française : 18 Novembre 2021 
Chapelle Corneille - Rouen
Chœur Accentus
Marcus Creed, direction
Plus d'informations...

19 Novembre 2021
Auditorium du Musée du Louvre - Paris
Chœur Accentus
Marcus Creed, direction
Plus d'informations...