A Masked Ball by Poulenc, Erb 28 Diċ 2022, Minn (2022/2022), Immexxi minn Rennik-Jan Neggers

Le Bal Masqué is a 'fusion' opera about a woman who learns the hard way that the line between expectations and illusion is paper thin. Opera, mime and mask play come together here with music by Francis Poulenc and lyrics by Max Jacob. Le Bal Masqué is the third production of SALIX chamber opera (formerly Studio Salix). In Le Bal Masqué , the hostess organizes a masquerade ball, but none of her guests show up. She, along with the two performers she has hired for the evening's entertainment, disillusionedly await her visit, but no one shows up. In order to get paid, the artists have to serve their time when they decide to improvise some scenes out of boredom. Unsolicited, the woman becomes part of this and is confronted with her own hypocrisy. It heralds the demise of appearances in favor of the festival of eccentricity. The 'cantata profane' Le Bal Masqué (1932) by Francis Poulenc forms the musical background against which the story, composed of absurd poems by Max Jacob, takes place. The music is colorful and the lyrics, according to Poulenc, 'can only be connected by fantasy'; the recipe for a compact, theatrical and playful chamber opera.