Stabat Mater

Patricia Okenwa, Kristel van Issum & Cora Burggraaf |

Dozens of composers have created music for the Stabat Mater, the 13th-century poem about Mary mourning her crucified son. Soothing to the ears. And to the eyes and mind, as this international project proves. In 2016 the dance festival in the Italian city of Bassano del Grappa invited a number of female choreographers to create a Stabat Mater for church performances. Three of these were presented at Boulevard 2017. The latest edition – also to be performed in churches and chapels – consists of one dance piece, one installation and a music performance.

In her Stabat Mater, choreographer Patricia Okenwa of Londonbased company Rambert stresses motherhood – her own and that of her four dancers and many other mothers. Geoff Holroyde and James Holroyde have created a soundscape reflecting on motherhood from their perspective.

Choreographer Kristel van Issum, who for years led dance company T.r.a.s.h., is creating #Catalog of Shadows, in which Ulrika Kinn Svensson examines seven female archetypes. This performance is in English

Mezzo soprano Cora Burggraaf and reed organist Annelies Focquaert present Miroir de peine et d’amour [1923], a poetry cycle by Henri Ghéon set to music by Hendrik Andriessen. Ghéon wrote an ode to the love between mothers and sons after witnessing his own mother die in a car crash. The three pieces together form a ‘chapel route’: you can attend three pieces on a single ticket. In between performances you'll walk to the next chapel. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes!

Premiere

Stabat Mater
choreography: Patricia Okenwa
dance: Piedad Albarracin, Anna Borini, Estela Merlos
music: Geoff Holroyde and James Holroyde
photo: Stephen Wright Photography

#Catalog of Shadows
concept | regie | choreography | text: Kristel van Issum
text | performance: Ulrika Kinn Svensson
vormgeving: Kristel van Issum en Martin Kers
music: Han Stubbe
video | animation: Martin Kers
costume design: Kristel van Issum en Ulrika Kinn Svensson
production: DansBrabant and Theaterfestival Boulevard
Thanks to Theaters Tilburg
Spoken in English