ZIEL \ ROUH
In ZIEL or ROUH (the Arabic word for 'soul'), two different disciplines enter into confrontation: music from Al-Andalus and contemporary dance collide, chafe, search and find each other in this performance. Two disciplines, two civilisations, two conceptual frameworks, two traditions produce something that goes far beyond the sum of its parts.
Grote Zaal
Duration: 1h
One evening, three movements
The Amsterdams Andalusich Orkest (AAO) plays repertoire from Al-Andalus, the Arabic empire that stretched over the entire Iberian Peninsula and northern Africa from the 8th to the 15th century. The musicians who developed this style in Andalusia were mainly descendants of refugee communities from the Middle East. They managed to build a high-quality culture by mirroring cultural innovations from their area of origin. ZIEL is a triptych in which three choreographers work, each with a different movement from the repertoire: the tarab (classical), sufi andalusi (mystical spiritual) and the chaabi andalusi (contemporary folk music). For the latter 'popular' movement, the AAO has had a piece specially composed for the performance by guest composer Abderrahim Semlali.
Amsterdams Andalusisch Orkest
Het Amsterdams Andalusisch Orkest (Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra) stands for the musical heritage of Andalusia. Between the 9th and 15th century, this was a part of European furore in the field of music, literature and science. Today, the AAO tells the story of Al-Andalus and its meaning for our society through music, theatre, literature and education.
Emio Greco | Pieter C. Scholten
Both choreographers have been through a long process of experimenting with the relationship between dance and music. They never strive for a merger but cherish the autonomy of each separate art form so that they can reinforce each other.
Nacera Belaza
Nacera Belaza already has several dance works to her name inspired by the sufi culture. In Le Trait and Le Temps Scellé, for example, she investigates the relationship between traditional forms of Algerian dance, sacred rituals and her own movement language. Work by her can also be seen in 7EVEN.
Vincent Colomes
Vincent Colomes graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in 1995 with a specialisation in classical ballet. He danced at ICK from 2006 to 2013 and then remained involved as a dance tutor and rehearsal director. In recent years, he has become more and more immersed in Flamenco. From his background as a dancer he produces his own choreographies on the cutting edge of contemporary dance and Flamenco.
Lieve Stad,
Lieve Stad, (Dear City,) is the city festival of Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, and is about Amsterdam and all the different Amsterdam residents - culturally and socially diverse - that the city contains. With Lieve Stad, we celebrate our differences - whether they are cultural, social, economic or physical - and we bring people together around stories from the city.
Over a two-week period, we present productions by, among others, Nasrdin Dchar, Urban Myth and Ultima Vez: encounters with other cultures that offer refreshing perspectives.
The festival - inspired by the words of former mayor Eberhard van der Laan - is our declaration of love to the city of Amsterdam and its inhabitants.