Camila Mandillo (soprano), André Henriques (baritone), Miguel Azguime (speaker), Vicente Viriato (chef), Kiku Day (shakuhachi); Sound'Ar-te Electric Ensemble: Sílvia Cancela (flute), Nuno Pinto (clarinet), João Dias (percussion), Francisco Cabrita (piano), Vítor Vieira (violin), Luís André Ferreira (cello)
Venue O'culto da Ajuda
Town Lisbon
Country Portugal
Text / Lyrics
Author of the Text Glenn Patterson
Title of Poem or Text Blown Off Course
Program Notes
“Blown Off Course” explores the relationships between Portugal and Japan through language, music and gastronomy. Since the Portuguese arrived in Japan in the 16th century, as the first Europeans to encounter Japan’s rich and fascinating culture, multiple exchanges have begun and continue to this day. This chamber opera recounts the chance meeting between Hana, a Japanese, and Valentim, a Portuguese, in both the 16th century and today. These encounters are a result of a ship (16th century) and a plane (today) blown off course by the force of the wind (the narrator). Six centuries apart, these interactions develop relationships through the exchange of sounds, words and food traditions. The wind is a pres- ence prompting seemingly chance events and orchestrated actions.
Musically, the work draws from Japanese musical traditions such as the Kabuki theatre, Gagaku and the Zen Shakuhachi flute music, joined with Portuguese customs from the 16th and 17th centuries. The opera is scored for soprano, baritone, narrator, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, shakuhachi, electronics, video and a Chef.
Commission by the Music Music Portugal, with the support of the Queen’s University Belfast.
Camila Mandillo (soprano), André Henriques (baritone), Miguel Azguime (speaker), Vicente Viriato (chef), Kiku Day (shakuhachi); Sound'Ar-te Electric Ensemble: Sílvia Cancela (flute), Nuno Pinto (clarinet), João Dias (percussion), Francisco Cabrita (piano), Vítor Vieira (violin), Luís André Ferreira (cello)
Notes
Blown Off Course
Performance
2023/Jan/13
O'culto da Ajuda
Lisbon
Portugal
Camila Mandillo (soprano), André Henriques (baritone), Miguel Azguime (speaker), Vicente Viriato (chef), Kiku Day (shakuhachi); Sound'Ar-te Electric Ensemble: Sílvia Cancela (flute), Nuno Pinto (clarinet), João Dias (percussion), Francisco Cabrita (piano), Vítor Vieira (violin), Luís André Ferreira (cello)
Notes
Blown Off Course
Performance
2023/Jan/14
O'culto da Ajuda
Lisbon
Portugal
Camila Mandillo (soprano), André Henriques (baritone), Miguel Azguime (speaker), Vicente Viriato (chef), Kiku Day (shakuhachi); Sound'Ar-te Electric Ensemble: Sílvia Cancela (flute), Nuno Pinto (clarinet), João Dias (percussion), Francisco Cabrita (piano), Vítor Vieira (violin), Luís André Ferreira (cello)
