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Opera O.T. brings i.c.w. Domestica Rotterdam Kwasi & Kwame - The black with the white heart - opera by Jonathan Dove libretto: Arthur Japin duration 2 hours, excluding intermission Dutch surtitles World premiere Opera O.T. and Domestica Rotterdam will bring the world premiere of Jonathan Dove's opera adaptation of Arthur Japin's book The Black with the White Heart on October 26, 2007. Libretto Kwasi & Kwame by Arthur Japin The opera is based on the successful book The Black with the White Heart by Arthur Japin, who also wrote the libretto for this English-language opera. The main characters in this true story are the Ashanti princes Kwasi and Kwame. In 1837 they are given at a young age to an envoy of King William I for their education in the Netherlands. Far from their parents and their people they forget their language and customs. While one prince adapts with all his strength and prefers to become a "real" Dutch person, the other fights to keep his African identity and eventually commits suicide. In this harrowing story about two African royal children, themes are discussed that are still topical. Jonathan Dove: The music for Kwasi & Kwame - The black with the white heart - was commissioned by Opera O.T. written by the British composer Jonathan Dove. Dove is known as a composer of operas, theater and choral music. He wrote twenty operas and caused a furore with the airport comedy "Flight" and the television opera Man on the Moon. In 1998 he won the Christopher Whelen Award for his work in the field of theater music and this summer he was composer-in-residence for the 10th edition of the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam. Tenth great opera in tradition Opera O.T. Under the name Opera O.T. Since 1988, Independent Theater has built a name for itself as an opera house that bridges the gap between theater and opera audience in its own style. The operas are made in collaboration with renowned orchestras and ensembles. The classically trained singers come from home and abroad (including John Mark Ainsley, Tom Randle, Charlotte Hellekant, Scott Hendricks and David Cordier). Previously, directors Mirjam Koen and Gerrit Timmers made the acclaimed operas The Death of Klinghoffer (in collaboration with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra), Samson (with De Nederlandse Opera), The Rake's Progress (in collaboration with Het Nederlands Balletorkest), Platée (in collaboration with the National Travel Opera ). Kwasi & Kwame - The black with the white heart - is the tenth great opera in this tradition. Ensemble Domestica Rotterdam and cast Domestica Rotterdam consists of members of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and is under the musical direction of Wim Steinmann. The ensemble made its debut in 1997 at the Gergiev Festival, where it could be heard again in September 2007, and has previously made two successful opera productions. The title roles are played by the Dutch baritone Hans Voschezang and the French baritone Brian Green. Wim Steinmann music Jonathan Dove | libretto Arthur Japin | musical direction Wim Steinmann | direction Mirjam Koen, Gerrit Timmers | choreography Ton Lutgerink in collaboration with Marieke den Dulk | costumes Bernadette Corstens | light Paul van Laak | ensemble Domestica Rotterdam | singers Hans Voschezang, Brian Green, Philip Sheffield, Bibi Heal, Ruby Philogene, Annelies Lamm, Hubert Claessens, Keel Watson, Philippe Do, Jean-Leon Klostermann, Jan Willem Baljet, Nathan Musoki, Mitchell Zhanghazha | children's choir: composed of, among others, members of the Rotterdam Boys Choir and Youth Theater School Hofplein, rehearsing Geert van den Dungen World premiere: October 26, 2007,
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