Daphne is an ancient mythical tale of power and eroticism, and man's eternal struggle between ideal and reality. In our annual libretto readings, we try to open up the classical sung repertoire to a wider audience in a catchy way, improvising and with a wink.
Both the shepherd boy Leukippos and the sun god Apollo are madly in love with the chaste virgin Daphne. Leukippos, her childhood friend, is immediately rejected. Apollo, dressed as a shepherd, is initially more successful. Only he messes everything up when he kisses her with a little too much gusto.
2014 marks our ninth year: after Così fan Tutte, Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni, Falstaff, Turandot, Fidelio, La Bohème and Platée we now take Richard Strauss' Daphne in hand.
An ensemble of actors, singers and musicians poach the music from the text and make its content resonate in a new way. Because of their spontaneous and playful nature, these libretto readings always exude great charm and appeal.
A fine way to see Strauss' Daphne view in a different light !
Public
"The formula has definitely caught my fancy. Especially the freedom the actors have is an extra that you won't find anywhere else in that way."
Lieven Termont, Visitors The Mint
"Unique concept, top cast, top singers, banging musicians! Must seen so!!!"
Birte Adriaensen, musical student
"Strong acting, fun setting, relaxed, in short it was a pleasure!"
Trees Candaele, programmer
"It's a fresh way of dealing with the opera repertoire (...) I think for young people or people who are less familiar with the genre, it's a pleasant introduction to opera."
Kristof Van Baarle, lecturer at UGent
"I didn't know at all what to expect beforehand. So the surprise was great (and extremely pleasant) to discover this form of theatre."
Eduard Cabuy, visitor to FENIKS FESTIVAL
"It was a real pleasure for me. I enjoyed it very much and got a lot out of it. Big thanks."
Stefaan Degand, actor
"I enjoyed it tremendously, especially surprised by the playful freedom with which you approach the material."
Michael Pass, actor
"WALPURGIS' libretto lecture is really recommended, either as an entry or as a supplement! My recommendation: the libretto lecture first, then the opera - supertandem."
Tineke Van Ingelgem, soprano
Interview
Interview with Judith Vindevogel in MMM26, the Mint magazine, September-Novermber 2014.
