“Without monsters no heroes, without a labyrinth no freedom.” The Greek myth of Ariadne and the gruesome bull man, the Minotaur has fascinated people for centuries. In the new music theater performance An eye in the sea, composer Willem Boogman sheds a different light on this immortal story. In traditional myth, Theseus defeats the Minotaur and King’s daughter Ariadne rescues the hero Theseus from the labyrinth.

The performance Een oog in zee follows the intriguing interpretation of writer Hella Haasse. In her work A thread in the dark, Haasse suggests that the Minotaur does not really exist. Ariadne discovers that her father, King Minos, is using the monster’s specter to perpetuate the rule of his people. An unprecedented drama then unfolds. Wonderful material for a new musical drama.

In Boogman’s performance An eye in the sea, Ariadne plays the leading role. With her new, poetic libretto, Salomé Roodenburg delves into Ariadne’s soul life. Boogman is inspired by Haydn’s enchanting cantata ‘Arianna a Naxos’ for his composition. In the performance, this Haydn cantata is performed as a symbol of Ariadne’s utter loneliness. Boogman subtly transforms elements from this famous cantata into his own sound world. Leading roles include mezzo-soprano Helena van Heel and accordionist Vincent van Amsterdam. The dancer Kenzo Kusuda takes on different guises live with which he portrays Ariadne’s emotional movements. The direction is in the hands of Zephyr Brüggen. Premiere on November Music 2022.

Willem Boogman – Composition
Salomé Roodenburg – Libretto
Zephyr Brüggen – Direction

Helena van Heel – Mezzo sopraan
Vincent van Amsterdam – Accordeon
Fokke van Heel – Horn
Kenzo Kusuda – Dance and Choreograpy