Jocy de Oliveira: Kseni (The Foreigner)

Jocy de Oliveira is one of the most renowned Brazilian composers. She has composed six major operas that have been performed at home and abroad. One of these is a trilogy consisting of Inori, to the sacred prostitute (Part I, 1993), Illud Tempus (Part II, 1994; performed also in Berlin at Haus der Kulturen der Welt) and As Malibrans (Part III, 1997). Since 2002, de Oliveira has explored the myth of Medea, a project that will ultimately lead up to a music theatre entitled Medea – Prophecy and Ballad. The Medea Ballad, a finished segment of 25 minutes, was performed at ‘Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik 2002’ by Sigune von Osten, to whom the work is dedicated. The concertante version of this music theatre is entitled Kseni – The Foreigner and comprises five parts: Medea Prophecy, Coro, Who cares if she cries, No civilized women would do this, and Medea Ballad. Like the trilogy, also this work is all about the translation of a mythical narration into the political and cultural reality of our time. The issues of foreignness, of being different, of discrimination are illustrated in the figure of Medea. It is not Euripides’ ancient tragedy that forms the basis of the composition but a medieval troubadour ballad telling the myth in the language of the Langue D’Oc. From the melody of this ballad evolves a compositional deconstruction, an enrichment and varied colouring with sounds.

Traditional musical instruments are supplemented by non-European instruments as well as sculpture instruments created by sculptor Ursula Haupenthal, both functioning not only as instruments but also as scenic stage elements. The work of Sigune von Osten will be performed by the ART POINT Ensemble.