Opera Java

 

IGFA – International Gamelan Festival Amsterdam

 

November/December 

Opera Java

IGFA – International Gamelan Festival Amsterdam

Be-Being

Opera Java - Indonesia

Opera Java is the music theatre production of the film Opera Jawa by the Indonesian director Garin Nugroho, the most renowned independent film maker of Indonesia.

Opera Java is a modern re-telling of 'The Abduction of Sita', a well-known episode from the Hindu epic Ramayana, interpreted by Nugroho as a passionate triangular relationship between Sita, her husband Rama and her abductor Rahwana.

With Garin Nugroho the dialogues are sung and the actions are danced.

Opera Java is an opera of the 21st century: a daring combination of popular, both classical and modern forms of dance and other forms of art: gamelan music, singing, theatre, visual art and installations.

Over 25 Indonesian musicians, dancers and actors give shape to this spectacle, including prominent figures such as Rahayu Supanggah (music compositions), Eko Supriyanto (choreography), and Heri Dono (installations).

The Dutch choreographer Harijono Roebana (Leine & Roebana) is responsible for the dramaturgy.

After the world premiere in Amsterdam, the opera will go on tour through Europe and Asia.

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IGFA

After the very successful first edition, the second International Gamelan Festival Amsterdam (IGFA2010) will take place from 2 to 11 September 2010.

IGFA2010 consists of two main parts: Opera Java (2 to 5 September) and three gamelan presentations from Java and Bali (9, 10 and 11 September), performed in the monumental Light Hall of the Tropenmuseum.

The three gamelan presentations involve both traditional and modern performances, which include new gamelan music inspired by compositions from the American composer Steve Reich.

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Li & Sa by Be-Being – Korea

A Buddhist music project which is a splendid mixture of Korean traditional and other musical performance, recorded and computer processed sounds, Buddhist chant and dance, and video projection, under the auspices of Jeong Gak, Buddhist priest, as adviser and performer.