HANNIBAL

Classical live musicians and artists Justine Bourgeus (Tsar B) and Abel Baeck reinterpret Purcell. Tom Kestens leads musical proceedings. Together they bring the story of Hannibal, the Punic wars, and the birth of Europe. In the third century B.C., the Carthaginian commander Hannibal Barca started his vertiginous journey: he led his troops through Spain, France, and Italy, in a quest that shook the Roman empire’s very foundations. Hannibal ad portas!

The Punic wars, a metaphor for all the wars that are being fought today in an ever-changing, terrifying world. Hannibal offers a lens through which we can explore the confrontation between old and new. The traditional European culture is, according to some, under pressure from the hyper-diverse modern Europe. The idea that barbarians are once again at the gates, ready to erase our European history – however absurd – appears to rear its head again. That is why Hannibal, using a unique synergy between opera and slam, contemporary dance and acting, offers a window through which to view the past, present and future of Europe. The creators use the opera Dido and Aeneas as their point of departure, a work set against the backdrop of the mythical origins of the conflict between Europe and North Africa.

In Hannibal, artists from Africa and Europe combine contemporary video and projection techniques with traditional live painting and acoustic instruments. Performed by many, following a shared heartbeat. Featuring mezzosoprano Raphaële Green, singer Gala Dragot, harpist Jutta Troch, actors Marios Bellas and Alix Konadu, dancer Zach Swagga, visual artist Elke Gijsemans and many others. Several of the artists are part of the SOCHA collective, a joint project by Junior Mthombeni and Tom Kestens.