Kimisis
KIMISIS – Falling Asleep (Greek: Κοίμησις ) is a gallery-style installation work celebrating a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox Church which commemorates the Dormition – the “falling asleep”, or death and assumption into Heaven – of Mary, the mother of Christ. The word akathistos literally means “not sitting”, i.e. standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. In this work, the soprano performs on a Pilates Trapeze Machine which provides the platform for the Dormition, a state of passing through repose into the realm of the eternal.
KIMISIS – Falling Asleep (Greek: Κοίμησις ) is a gallery-style installation work celebrating a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox Church which commemorates the Dormition – the “falling asleep”, or death and assumption into Heaven – of Mary, the mother of Christ. The word akathistos literally means “not sitting”, i.e. standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. In this work, the soprano performs on a Pilates Trapeze Machine which provides the platform for the Dormition, a state of passing through repose into the realm of the eternal. The ritualistic elements of Kimisis direct the human senses to this unique window between the imminent and the transcendent. Samples of George Crumb’s Black Angels, a work that that has always inspired me, collides with the musical worlds of the Byzantine & Christian Arabic traditions of the Akathist Hymn. In the words of the musicologist Egon Wellesz, Byzantine Hmynography is “the poetical expression of Orthodox theology, translated through music to the sphere of religious devotion”. It is a highly sophisticated and powerful literary tradition that has extended over many centuries. In addition to the Orthodox tradition, there is also a presentation of Greek Gnosticism, an esoteric spiritual movement that developed from early Christianity and grew in parallel to the conventional religions. The Gnostics explained the world by very different creation myths and by reference to powers (considered magical and alchemical by traditionalists) very much at odds with traditional Christian ideology.
Constantine Koukias is the co-founder and artistic director of IHOS Music Theatre & Opera. IHOS has produced five large scale operas composed and directed by Koukias: Days and Nights with Christ, To Traverse Water,MIKROVION: Small Life – 36 Images in a Phantom Flux of Life, The Divine Kiss and Tesla – Lightning in His Hand in 2003. He is well known for his innovative work in contemporary opera and other forms. In 1993 he was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose ICON, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. In 1995 he composed and directed Medea for the State Theatre of South Australia. In 1997 his Incantation II for soprano and digital delay won the International Valentino Bucchi Vocal Prize in Rome and in 2004 he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. His work Prayer Bells, which draws on traditions of religious chant, was premiered at the Melbourne Federation Festival in 2001 and will receive its US premiere in October this year at the prestigious Chicago Cultural Centre. Within a Prayer at Lamplighting was commissioned by the China National Symphony Orchestra Australian tour to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic ties with China.
Elvio is Director of the architectural practice Forward Brianese + Partners. He has over 20 years’ experience in fine art, design, industrial design and architecture. His expertise encompasses a broad range of project scales and types, both in the public and private sector, internationally, nationally and locally. His ability to articulate strong design and sustainable principles has resulted in multiple award-winning projects. Elvio’s active role in the education and design community has resulted in frequent invitations by the UTAS School of Architecture to participate in its assessment programs and by the Australian Institute of Architects (Tasmanian Chapter) to be the Awards Chair and jury member.
After completing a Bachelor of Architecture with Honours at the University of Melbourne in 1999 and working in Sydney and Melbourne, Peta is currently an Associate at Forward Brianese + Partners in Hobart. Her experience extends across residential, sport, commercial, education and arts projects. Further design and cultural contributions include being the architecture editor of Hobart Design Index, co-founder and participator of the annual Australian Institute of Architects (Tasmanian Chapter) 10x10x10 event for Architecture Week, and an invitation to host In Conversation with Chris Bosse, which was part of the conversation series for 10 Days on the Island in 2009. Curatorial credits include Realisation of the Conceptual for 10x10x10 in 2008, Restraint, for 10x10x10 in 2009 and God is in the Details: Architectural Thresholds as part of Design Island 2009.
Born in Tasmania, Sarah Jones moved to Sydney in 2005 and completed a Master of Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium. Sarah is currently appearing in Sid the Serpent for OzOpera’s NSW Schools Company, having previously performed Cinderella (2009), The Barber of Seville (2008) and The Magic Flute (2007). Other engagements have included Baroque Masterworks (Opera Australia, 2009) and Opera Australia’s Opera Gala (2010). Sarah appears regularly with ensembles such as Cantillation, Pinchgut Opera, Sydney Symphony, IHOS Opera and Musica Viva and has recorded for ABC Classic FM. In 2010, Sarah created the role of Spirit in FOX, which toured Australia for Monkey Baa Theatre, and premiered KIMISIS for IHOS Opera. In January she performed Rose Pickles in a filmed recording of excerpts from George Palmer’s new operaCloudstreet, and she recently sang Papagena in The Magic Flute for Pacific Opera, for whom she is a Telstra Wholesale Young Artist.
Rebecca Hilder has performed in a wide range of genres, from traditional opera repertoire to premiering new Australian works. Her roles include the female leads in several Australian premieres such as Amaranta (Hadyn’s La fedeltà premiata), Smaragda (The Master Builder – Manolis Kalomiris) and Civil Engineer (Borders – Constantine Koukias / Lyndall Edwards), as well as more established roles including Countess (Le nozze di Figaro – Mozart), Rich Girl (The Happy Prince – Williamson) and Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus – J Strauss). She has worked with directors such as Moffat Oxenbould, Elke Neidhardt and Cathy Dadd, and with international teachers and coaches including Richard Bonynge, Anna Sweeny, Michael Black, Andrew Greene, Simon Kenway and Sharolyn Kimmorley. She presently studies with Glenn Winslade and has recently returned from successful auditioning in Germany and Austria.
Irene is a Sydney based dramatic soprano, who is currently training with Ms Arax Mansourian. A true bohemian, she is passionate about ideas, culture and the arts, and is inspired by encouraging self-expression in others. She teaches Drama, English, Singing and Philosophy in a range of educational contexts including Secondary, Tertiary, and in Correctional institutions. She is also the Artistic Director of ANGEL VOICES which is a production company specialising in live vocal and theatrical entertainment. It was formed in 2005 to provide opportunities for aspiring producers, directors and performers. Since then, Irene has enjoyed working on festivals, concerts and special events, and collaborating with other professional singers of opera, musical theatre, world music and jazz.
Donald Bate is Principal Trombone with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He began studies with Heinz Aepler in Sydney, continuing with Michael Mulcahy at the Canberra School of Music, where he completed his Bachelor of Music. Don was appointed to the position of Associate Principal Trombone with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, a position he held until his appointment with the TSO. Don has appeared as a soloist with the TSO, as well as appearing with the Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra symphony orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Don is known as an active improviser and composer, having worked with many ensembles across a range of genres. He was artistic director of the Benjafield Collective from 2003 till 2008 and has just written and directed a concert involving the TSO and hip hop artists. Don has appeared as a trombonist, singer and musical director in previous IHOS productions, including To Traverse Water and Days and Nights with Christ.
Athanasia studied Ancient Greek at the University of Tasmania and completed a postgraduate degree in Social Research in 1991. She has taught Modern Greek at the Hellenic Community Greek School in Hobart and is a member of the Estia Festival Committee of Tasmania. Her interests centre on language, communication and community development through the building of cultural and artistic capital. Athanasia has a passion for exploring all things Ancient and Byzantine Greek that continue to gently influence and intermingle with modern western life.
“Kimisis – Falling Asleep packed a punch in just 15 minutes… a mesmerising musical experience.”
-2010 Review by Elizabeth Ruthven in The Mercury Newspaper.
“The immersive nature of the staging and ritualistic aspect of the performance transported people to another realm. Kimisis is a gem”
-Brian Ritchie,Curator MONA FOMA festival.