Immerse yourself in the wonderful poetry and dramatic life of the phenomenon that is Rumi as we present the world premiere of ‘Sky in a Small Cage’, created by Frederic Wake-Walker and Rolf Hind in collaboration with Mahogany Opera. The director and composer are masters of exploring the world of spirituality in ambitious, genre-defying productions.
'Sky in a Small Cage' revives Rumi's 13th-century poetry through a magnificently staged oratorio based on new writing from the award-winning poet Dante Micheaux and translations of Rumi's original poetry. Accompanied by Rolf Hind's kaleidoscopic compositions inspired by the diverse sound worlds and instruments of Sufi qawwali, Indian and Javan music among others, we follow Rumi's intense relationship with his teacher Shams, who inspired the fiery passion and despair in the poet's best works.
The British countertenor James Hall, a rising star in baroque and modern music, and the up-and-coming French-Swiss baritone and dancer Yannis Francois embody Rumi and Shams in a work that spans from intimate scenes narrated by the experienced vocalist Elaine Mitchener to full-blown operatic moments with a vocal ensemble and 17 musicians. Join us, and be blown away!
| Information | |
| Stage | ,The Concert Hall of the Academy The Royal Danish Academy of Music |
| Date | Sun / Aug 25 / 20.00 |
| Duration | 100 min (no interval) |
| Language | Engilsh |
| Entrance | Regular: 195-395 kr Under 30: 160-260 kr |
| Credit | |
| Composer | Rolf Hind |
| LIbretto & text | Dante Micheaux and Jalal al-Din Rumi |
| Direction | Frederic Wake-Walker |
| Design | Sasha Balmazi-Owen |
| Movement | Rosabel Huguet |
| Soloists | Narrator: Elaine Mitchener (mezzo-soprano) I and You (becoming Rumi): James Hall (countertenor) Bird of the Sun – Shams e Parande: Yannis François (baritone/dancer) Shaman of the Birds/Kerra, Rumi’s wife: Loré Lixenberg (mezzo-soprano) |
| Chorus ensemble | Siddhi Lagrutta (soprano), Karima El Demerdasch (alto 1), Anika Venkatesh (alto 2), Rylan Gleave (tenor), Ty Bouque (baritone) and Harald Hieronymus Hein (bass) |
| Ensemble | Performance at The Concert Hall of the Academy / The Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen, DK: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen and Music Director Aaron Holloway-Nahum Performances at the Barbican Centre, London, UK: Riot Ensemble and Music Director Aaron Holloway-Nahum |
| Producer | Bridget Rennie, Mahogany Opera |
| Production manager | Mette Skriver |
| Stage manager | Caroline Moores |
| Stage manager assistant | Ida Pontoppidan |
| Publisher | © G. Ricordi & Co. Ltd., Milano/Gehrmans Musikförlag AB, Stockholm. |
| Graphics | Barbican Centre |
| Collaboration | 'Sky in a Small Cage’ is commissioned, created and produced by Mahogany Opera and co-produced and presented by Copenhagen Opera Festival. |
| Support | |
| Commission supported with generous funding from the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust, with additional production support from Cockayne - Grants for the Arts, Hinrichsen Foundation, André & Rosalie Hoffmann, Anthony Newhouse, John Walton and Christian Wells. The performance in Denmark is supported by Art Music Denmark, Dansk Tennis Fond, Frederiksbergfonden, Frederiksberg Kommune, Hoffmann og Husmans Fond, KODA Kultur og Statens Kunstfond. | |
| Thank you | |
| The Indonesian Embassy in Hellerup, Denmark and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany for the loan of Gamelan instruments for the performances in Copenhagen, Denmark. | |
