2. Barrett / ELISION 1
Friday 20 November
Bates Mill 8pm,
Full price £18; Concession £16
Richard Barrett Opening of the Mouth (UK Premiere)
ELISION
Opening of the Mouth, commissioned by David Blenkinsop for the 1997 Perth Festival, fittingly receives its UK premiere at HCMF. Composed for an ensemble of two singers, nine musicians and live electronics, it is a major cycle and a landmark piece in the ongoing artistic relationship between composer Richard Barrett and the ELISION ensemble. The work takes its point of departure from an ancient Egyptian ritual performed during the process of mummification. The ritual restored the power of speech to the dead soul, enabling them to bear witness to their life before the judges of the Underworld. The texts are taken from the poet Paul Celan, whose own 'mouth was opened' by the holocaust: to those whose mouths were empty before being closed. Celan's language itself is a tongue from beyond the fascist destruction of the German language-in Celan's words the ‘thousand darknesses of deathbringing speech.'
Produced by hcmf// supported by British Council
Buy tickets from here.
