Josse De Pauw, Collegium Vocale Gent . Muziektheater Transparant

Death has invaded the palace. The king has poisoned his queen. His jester, who was her lover, is heartbroken. The dogs bark and howl incessantly, the death bells toll. The king sits on his throne with his fingers in his ears. And then the jester suggests he and the king switch roles, just to kill time. King jester, jester king, for a while. The king agrees. Meanwhile the royal executioner skulks through the hallways of the palace and the monk prays that the queen's soul will find peace. 'Escorial' is a tragic farce about power and boredom, violence and indifference. And the jester's love. Michel de Ghelderode's macabre piece - known to the opera audience from Ligeti's opera 'Le Grand Macabre' - brings four actors and twelve singers to the stage. You hear new compositions for a cappella vocals, inspired by the barking of dogs, ringing bells and a crazy laugh and supplemented with sixteenth-century hymns. Since his Conservatoire days, Josse De Pauw has wanted to turn this text into a performance and now he has been given his chance. He also plays the part of the king.