There are two milestones in human life: birth and death. Intense joy and sorrow form a swinging motion between these two poles. The door of new parents is, so to speak, worn down to behold and comment on that small miracle. When someone dies, a detour is often made. People don't know what to say. They can't find comforting, uplifting words. Death is in the taboo sphere of our Western culture. Wrong! We must be able to talk about grief, farewell and sorrow. Grief should not be bottled up, but should have an open place in our society. That is the wish of 'Sereni'.
Sereni
'Sereni' brings together experienced funeral directors and asked composer and conductor Dirk Brossé if he could create a performance with a special approach that encourages reflection. Together with author and actor Dirk Van Vaerenbergh and soprano Franches Dhont, he created a music theatre production about death: the music and lyrics touch the heart, but there are also light-hearted interludes to provide relief. Just as fine memories of the deceased are recalled during a funeral meal. It is unique that a funeral planner lends his shoulders to a cultural project.
Creation process
ONTroerd is about birth and death. For the poster, a clock on a thread was chosen. A thread that's about to snap! The clock as a metaphor for life. The rituals and the need people feel to grasp, master and overcome time. But death is inexorable. As the son of a funeral director, death was commonplace for Brossé. Music is living art. He wrote his first composition right next to the mortuary. Death and life, the alpha and omega.
Being unable to say goodbye is extremely bitter
Sereni asked him this question as early as 2017. It was to be a one-time concert. Corona put a spanner in the works on the one hand, but opened a new perspective on the other. The culture sector's throat was squeezed shut by the pandemic. Everyone who had to say goodbye to a loved one was also left out in the cold. These were often harrowing situations. The impact left deep wounds. Being able to say goodbye, to grieve is extremely important. Passing the baton of life to one another. Talking about what is important and dear. There is no measurable scale for grief. That is why Sereni sought a universal language: music. Saying goodbye can be raw, but also very intimate, tender, extremely comforting. Music can colour all these feelings. The title was soon found: ONTroerd, something that no longer moves is dead. Dirk Brossé needed someone who could write a scenario for his ideas and music. The ideal partner for this was his good friend Dirk Van Vaerenbergh, an erudite man, at home both in the academic world and on stage. Language is also important, words have connotations. Tabula rasa with the concert and during the lockdown a beautiful consistent product ripened, a kind of healing.
Parabola
Brossé's intention was to illuminate the death of homo sapiens as universally and broadly as possible. Reference is made, among other things, to stars whose light takes millions of years to reach earth. Use is made of written texts from literature: including works by Ovidius and Pablo Neruda but also new material. Brossé leaves the symphony orchestra circuit and opted for a 5-piece ensemble, a quintet. He deliberately chose musicians of foreign origin. In their culture, the perception and handling of death is different from ours, creating new perspectives. Also on board was the young, talented, newly graduated soprano Franches Dhont, who is completely on board with the story. The function of music is twofold: sometimes it translates what is expressed, at other times it adds a dimension to it.
The press got a preview: music, text and singing created goosebumps through the sober and serene sensitivity of Franches Dhont. A voice that not only sounds beautiful but also has something to say. If everything follows the line of what was presented, no one will keep their composure.
The emotional toll of losing a loved one is profound. ONTroerd wants to take embarrassment, helplessness and fear out of the taboo corner with understanding and comforting words, the sublime power of the human voice and music. A performance that gets under your skin and provides oxygen.
With ONTroerd, Sereni wants to be a stepping stone to make grief and processing discussable in disruptive moments of life.
- WHERE & WHEN: 25/10 Antwerp; 26/10 Ghent; 27/10 Kortrijk; 28/10 Brussels
- MUSIC: Dirk Brossé
- SCENARIO: Dirk Van Varenbergh
- VOCALS: Franches Dhont