The Matter - Louis Andriessen / Phia Ménard

Must-see contemporary monument Louis Andriessen, probably the most important Dutch composer of the past centuries, completed his magnum opus De Materie in 1988. Some reviewers called it 'a philosophical opera', others simply 'a theatrical ultrasymphony'. Yet they agree that De Materie is an absolutely contemporary monument. Echoes of Igor Stravinsky, Johann Sebastian Bach and Steve Reich resound in spine-tingling percussion, infectious boogie-woogie fugues and hypnotic minimalism. The text transports us to the early modern period – an era of shipbuilding and rebellion against the Spanish – to the 13th century for a beautiful vision of Hadewijch and to the 20th century of Mondriaan and Marie Curie. In each of the four parts, matter transforms through interaction with the human spirit. This thread is carried through by the internationally acclaimed director Phia Ménard and choreographers Antonio De Rosa and Mattia Russo (KOR'SIA) into a total experience in which set design, dance and music are in constant motion.