If it weren't for Homer, what would we know of the history and culture of ancient Greece? Of that Archaic Greece, before the Classical period? Of that time that gave birth to Athenian democracy? Of what is still at the base of European civilisation? Of this extremely rich history, what remains today, for the Greeks of the 21st century? For poet Dimitris Dimitriadis, Homer's influence is immense, and can be felt by each and every one of his compatriots.He remains an essential factor of this nostalgia that prevents the construction of another history. In this epic song that is the Homeriad, Dimitris Dimitriadis lends his voice successively to Ulysses, to the island of Ithaca, and to Homer himself, in order to revisit some of his favourite themes: identity, how we carry our native country within ourselves, the ill-defined fatherland that devours its children...Faced with a tale that goes back several millennia, and with the return of the hero at the end of his initiatory journey, Delphine Margau has adapted the original text and Martin Rombergand has composed the music of this oratorio for a symphonic orchestra. This sonic universe supports, accompanies, and transports the words of the poet, carried by only one voice, that of Robin Renucci.
A poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, and translator of many French authors, Dimitris Dimitriadis has made it a point to cross all the borders of literature since his very first play, The Price of Resistance in the Black Market, published in 1965. At the heart of his work is his own country, Greece, whose founding myths and history he never tires of questioning, between greatness and decline.With the same challenging attitude that has always been his, he supports the vital necessity of renewal and condemns the pointless search for identity motivated by a nostalgia that couldn't be more dangerous in these troubled times.
Martin Romberg studied music in Norway, his native country, before moving first to Austria, then to the south of France. A composer by trade, he soon acquired a reputation as a symphonic composer, before developing a body of work focusing on folk legends and on various European mythologies. He willingly admits composing symphonic works that allow him “to escape the real world” to discover “complex and wonderful worlds.” A J.R.R. Tolkien fan, he is here working on Greek mythology for the first time.
Founded over two hundred years ago, the Orchestre régional Avignon-Provence first played in Provence, but was soon heard throughout France and abroad. In residence at the Opéra du Grand Avignon, they accompany its lyrical programming, intent on drawing as diverse a public as possible, especially among younger generations. Under the direction of pianist and conductor Samuel Jean, their first guest conductor, the orchestra offers a wide musical panorama, from baroque music to modern forms, with an ever-evolving selection.
Distribution
Text Dimitris Dimitriadis
Musiqc Martin Romberg
Adaptation Delphine Margau
Musical direction Samuel Jean
With Robin Renucci, Samuel Jean, andOrchestre régional Avignon-Provence
Production
Coproduction Festival d'Avignon, Orchestre régional Avignon-Provence
With the support of l'Institut français de Grèce