Sarband: Gerusallemme Liberata

To the east of Europe, in Jerusalem, lies a determinant place of European identity. The sepulchral church of Christ is understood as a major spiritual centre, but it is situated in an area sacred also to both Jews and Muslims. The struggle for Jerusalem, the period of the crusades, left traces in history that are still discernible today. Scars of violence and hatred as well as chances of a cultural and economic exchange between Orient and Occident are ineseparably linked with Jerusalem.

In Vladimir Ivanoff's scenic vision, projections of paintings lead the way to the very roots of this story.

The western view is represented by music from Torquato Tasso's crusade epic 'La Gerusallemme Liberata / Jerusalem Delivered' and the songs of the contemporary troubadours, the eastern view by Arabian music of the Middle Ages. Torquato Tasso's 'Gerusallemme' is an epic poem in heroic style, narrating military adventures and amorous entanglement of knights during the first crusade. But it also tells about love in wartime and about reconciliation of hostile cultures that is still possible today.

This programme connects the melodious 16th-century recitations by Tasso with Sigismondo d'India's settings from the 17th century, Arabic songs from the days of the crusades and contemporary troubadour music. During the 16th to 19th centuries, ‚Gerusalemme Liberata’ was also one of the most favourite topics in the visual arts. Projections of these works of art create an imaginary landscape.

Historic reality of the 12th century, glorified by 16th- and 17th-century heroic gesture,
put into perspective by present-day political events and developments.

Miriam Andersén: voice (Erminia), harp / Fadia el-Hage: voice (Armida) / Paolo Giuseppe Cecere: recitation (Torquato Tasso), voice, lira da braccio / Charbel Rouhana: oud / Fabio Accurso: lute / Vladimir Ivanoff: percussion, lute / Judith Haug: projections

musical direction and program: Vladimir Ivanoff