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Nederlands

HARDKOOR

Naomi Velissariou, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Theater Utrecht

HARDKOOR is a stand-up tragedy concert, a stream of self-consciousness to techno, triphop and choir music.

Prior to her fortieth birthday a single mom and artist withdraws from public life for a year. From the stillness of her burnout (which she defines as a crisis of the entire system, both physically, mentally and spiritually), she battles against the racing of time, against the societal images she’s trying to escape from by (not) conforming to them, and against her excessive self-awareness and self-criticism. Through a personal and exhausting endeavor of language, music and movement, she carves a path towards a life without shame, in which the endless pursuit for validation gives way to radical self-love and a not-so-boring-balance.



In HARDKOOR, Velissariou’s brutal language, a fluid combination of English and Dutch aimed at obliterating suffocating images of human nature, is interwoven with the mind-fucking sound design of Joost Maaskant and Frank Wienk (Binkbeats). Velissariou previously formed the PERMANENT DESTRUCTION duo with Maaskant. Percussionist and producer Frank Wienk translates their sound into a composition that blurs the boundaries between acoustic and electronic music. This composition is being performed by drummer Jens Bouttery and the Nederlands Kamerkoor (NKK). For over 80 years the NKK ranks among the best choirs in the world and is known for its innovative approaches to the development and performance of top-level choral music. All this takes place in a setting that designer Boris Acket describes as a “brutalist techno temple”: a modular installation of light and sound technology, with a special role for the voices of the choir. Acket is a contemporary artist, composer and director, specialized in building multidisciplinary systems. The costume design consists of high fashion loungewear from the hands of MAISON the FAUX.


‘I am not being burned out at home. I am at home burning out my doubts. And once my doubts are burned out, I will come out and I will play with you.’

− Naomi Velissariou

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dates

Thu June 13 2024 10:00 PM

Fri June 14 2024 10:00 PM

Sat June 15 2024 10:00 PM

prices

  • default € 35
  • HF Young € 22
  • CJP/student/scholar € 13

information

  • Dutch surtitles: English

  • 1 hour 10 minutes

Please note:

this performances contains loud sound and stroboscopic effects. 

At this performance, we will organise a guided tour for Young Benefactors. Join us and learn about all the ins and outs of the performances and the artists!

  • Naomi Velissariou, stage director, writer, actor and performance artist

    © Paule Josephe

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

  • © Ben Houdijk - No reproduction without permission -

credits

concept, direction, text and performance Naomi Velissariou musical composition Joost Maaskant, Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) musical direction Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) drums, percussion, live electronics Jens Bouttery vocals Nederlands Kamerkoor in participation with NKK NXT-alumni rehearsal director Béni Csillag Artistic representation NKK Imre Ploeg scenography and light Boris Acket costume design Maison the Faux sound technique system design Sander van der Werff outside eye Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe essential support Casper Vandeputte assistent director Lindsy Dias movement coach, choreography choir Nicole Beutler production Theater Utrecht coproduction Theater Utrecht, Holland Festival, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Nicole Beutler Projects lyrics ‘I am a parent’ based on and inspired by 'A life's work' by Rachel Cusk with thanks to Anne Breure, Lucien Rentmeester, Thomas Dudkiewicz, Luca Meisters, Cristian Boscheri, Sylvia Bosmans, Tassouli Velissariou, Fransje after an initiative by Nederlands Kamerkoor

This performance is made possible by

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