Kwasi & Kwame – The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi – composer Jonathan Dove
A new production by Opera O.T. in co-production with Ensemble Domestica, based on the novel The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi (De zwarte met het witte hart) by Arthur Japin
Opening night October 26th 2007
libretto Arthur Japin
musical director/conductor Wim Steinmann
directors Mirjam Koen, Gerrit Timmers
choreography Ton Lutgerink, Marieke den Dulk
set design Gerrit Timmers
soloists
Hans Voschezang, Brian Green, Philip Sheffield,
Bibi Heal, Ruby Philogene-Doran/Lori-Kaye Miller,
Annelies Lamm, Hubert Claessens, Keel Watson,
Philippe Do, Jean-Léon Klostermann, Jan Willem Baljet,
Mitchell Zhanghaza, Nathan Musoki
and a children’s chorus
Press
With O.T., the story of Kwasi and Kwame (two African princes who were given to King Willem I and grew up in Holland) is not just about the past. It is about identity and integration, about the facile idea that we have in the western world about identity being something that can be traded in, and the notion we have that our values are somehow soul-saving. It is about the abyss between the old and the new world that many refugees live in.’ (Algemeen Dagblad, Oswin Schneeweisz)
‘Everything comes together perfectly: the suggestive staging, the sublime libretto (written by Japin himself), and the stirring minimalistic music of the British composer Jonathan Dove.’ (Algemeen Dagblad, Oswin Schneeweisz)
‘Led by the small but eminent ensemble Domestica Rotterdam, the many singers in Kwasi & Kwame deliver sparkling performances’
(Volkskrant, Frits van der Waa)
‘Opera O.T., which has a name to lose when it comes to high-value opera productions, has aimed very high with this project, but has once again delivered. The charming, historically accurate and authentic-seeming costumes create an effective contrast with the particularly sober
decors. Koen and Timmers round it off with a wonderfully beautiful final image that can leave no one unmoved.’
