Amandante is the first opera by Dutch-Ukrainian composer Maxim Shalygin. Shalygin’s music is adventurously omnivorous, yet rooted in tradition. A spiritual undertone, common in Eastern European music, frequently permeates his work. Amandante is a chamber opera inspired by the ancient Symposium, Plato’s dialogue exploring lust, love, and desire. Staged as a series of tableaux vivants and through a chiaroscuro of emotions, the opera unveils both the radiant beauty of love and its darker, more destructive facets.
Despite the war in their homeland, Ukrainian Nova Opera is creating new productions that reflect the progressive artistic climate in Kyiv. Nova Opera’s unique music theatre blends elements of Gregorian chant, trip hop, avant-garde rock, baroque, and folk music. Their work encompasses a wide range of forms, from traditional theatre to video installations. Their productions, often premiering internationally, have earned widespread critical acclaim.
This is a production of Muziekgebouw Productiehuis in collaboration with Nova Opera, the Greek National Opera and Stichting Ensemble Shapeshift.
Thanks to:
Many thanks to het Cultuurfonds, Eleonora van Heusden Fund and Anna H. Toonen Fund