Andromeda & Perseus – Poetry Slam Edition with Sulaiman Masomi and Leticia Wahl
Compositing, Image source: Wikimedia Commons, Émile Bin (1825-1897), Persée délivrant Andromède (1865)
Classical music meets slam poetry: Anton Zimmermann’s melodrama, revitalized and transported into the present
Love is always a drama – in this case, a Greek one. Andromeda is to be chained to a rock and sacrificed to a sea monster. Perseus catches sight of the princess and overwhelmed by her beauty, rushes to her aid.
Werner Ehrhardt and l’arte del mondo take the rediscovery of the melodrama “Andromeda and Perseus” by composer Anton Zimmermann (1741-1781) as an opportunity to translate the drama from ancient mythology into the language of the 21st century.
The composer set the ancient story to music in the 18th century, and the much-acclaimed slam poet and author Sulaiman Masomi has revitalized Zimmermann’s work, transporting it into the present day. Perseus is a Berlin boy from Neukölln, whereas Andromeda remains as the well-known ancient figure.
Two worlds – historical performance practice and the contemporary performance form of slam poetry – merge into a new theatrical language and allow ancient mythology and classical music to coexist.
Classical musical language meets modern word acrobatics which are musically complemented by the performance of Anton Zimmermann’s work.
An exciting event for classical music lovers, poetry slam fans.
The premiere of this project took place as part of Bayer Kultur’s stARTfestival in May of 2021 and was recorded and broadcast by WDR in September of 2021.
Rheinische Post, May 20, 2021
“Zimmermann’s composition enchants from the very beginning, and the joyful and committed playing of the ensemble l’arte del mondo, which performed here with a full wind section, conveyed this wonderful music impressively [...]. Wonderful fun with truly enchanting music.”
About the composer Anton Zimmermann
Anton Zimmermann, whose symphonies l’arte del mondo have already been recorded on → CD to sensational acclaim, set “Andromeda and Perseus” to music in 1780. In it, he creates an expressive musical formulation of the complex tragedy in the Classical musical language.
Zimmermann is certainly one of the greatest composers of the Classical period in terms of his richness of color, inventiveness and compositional craftsmanship. He wrote in all genres, but unfortunately, the vast majority of his works have been lost.
As one of Zimmermann’s last works, “Andromeda and Perseus” represents the pinnacle of his music-dramatical oeuvre. With four trumpets, three trombones and a full wind section, Zimmermann creates a magnificent sound palette featuring considerable power and drama.
Cast
Werner Ehrhardt artistic director
Sulaiman Masomi
text adaptation
Sulaiman Masomi and Leticia Wahl slam poets
l’arte del mondo (31 musicians)
Leticia Wahl as Andromeda and Sulaiman Masomi as Perseus [Film excerpt/Compositing]