Kurtisanen och Kärleken
Vadstena old theatre, 27 July - 3 August 2013
Christina Larsson Malmberg - soprano
Catalina Langborn - violin
Karin Modigh - dance/choreography
Jonas Nordberg - theorbo
Sigrid Herrault - text
Bente Rolandsdotter - costumes/scenography
Nils Spangenberg - stage direction consultant
Carl Thorborg - photo
‘The brief moment…. before the rain drops extinguish the flame. Then you begin to prey on my talent to kindle the fire. To demand that I should waste my talent so that the flames burn only for you. In a cramped little room…. with hardly any air to breathe.’
A 17th-century Italian salon. Beautiful colours, a lavish aesthetic, delightful music coming from a gambist and singer. The lyrics to her songs speak of love – of love’s disappointments, of love’s encouragements – of wanting to die from the sorrow caused by an unfaithful beloved.
It was said that Barbara Strozzi was a courtesan. Perhaps she was; perhaps not. Perhaps the idea of a professional female musician and composer was simply so provocative that it was assumed that she was of ‘ill repute’. A certain degree of musicality elevated a woman’s status in baroque Italy. If a woman was too successful, however, she ran the risk of being classified as a prostitute. Throughout time, labelling a woman as a prostitute has been a convenient way to remove a talented individual from the establishment.
Operabyrån is creating a poetic and colourful presentation inspired by Strozzi’s music, lyrics, and fate. The presentation focuses on the Italian repertoire of the early 17th-century, where solo pieces and improvisations – from intimate, lamenting passacaglias to passionate dances – are blended together and contrasted with each other. A resounding baroque tableau, alive with colour and sublime music. Only a closer look hints at its darker side….
Production: Operabyrån in collaboration with Vadstena-Akademien, funding by Statens Musikverk
