Production by IHOS OPERA as part of the Queenstown Heritage and Arts Festival
October 2012
by Elizabeth Barsham
October 2012
by Elizabeth Barsham
Inspired by the Greek Orthodox feast commemorating the
Dormition, the death of the Virgin Mary and her assumption into Heaven, Kimisis
takes the theme set by yesterday’s commemorative activities to another
level. In the Church this service lasts several hours, but Con Koukias has
considerately compressed his version into just twenty minutes.
As we file into the old Honan’s Transport warehouse we
are each given a lighted candle and sent to sit on seats separated by high
partitions, inspired by the chapel in the Model Prison at Port Arthur where
convicts attending church services were isolated, able to see nothing but the
officiating minister. There are not many seats, a single row surrounding a
small space. In the centre a black-robed woman lies on a Pilates trapeze which,
in this context, suggests a bier rather than an exercise machine, its chrome
reflecting sinister highlights in the darkness.
Later, Rebecca tells me that Kimisis has
previously been performed in a completely blacked-out space, and the theatrical
lighting is less dramatic in here. However, I think the dusty light filtering
through holes and gaps in the walls and roof of the old warehouse provides an
eerie and atmospheric setting completely in harmony with the mood of the piece.
Rebecca, with her generous figure, dark hair and powerful voice, is perfect for
the part, slowly rising from the “dead” as a second figure, hooded, black-clad
and bearded, circles in front of us. She sings words based on Greek Orthodox
and Byzantine hymn forms; there is incense and minimalist accompaniment by
electric trombone and other electronic effects. Our candles are extinguished,
the singer is sprinkled with glitter, we are asperged with herbs dipped in
water, a large fish is carried around the circle.
It is all very symbolic and slightly iconoclastic and
quite beautiful.
Kimisis – soprano Rebecca Hilder; electric trombone and
effects Les Johnson
More about IHOS
Opera and Kimisis: http://www.ihosopera.com/repertoire/kimisis/
