Music theater composition by Siedl/Cao (2017), National Opera Hanoi
Performers: Nguyen Kim Oanh – voice, Cao Thanh Lan – Synthesizer, Daxophone, live-Elektronics, Gregor Siedl – clarinet, Tăm lay, live-Elektronics, Gamecalls, Lu Manh Cuong – percussion
“The fifth cardinal direction” – “Die fünfte Himmelsrichtung” is a 45 min. music theatre for 4 performers, inspired by the vocal music of ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam – Dao, Hmong and Lolo people.
The six acts of this composition each relates to a landmark or transitional period in a person’s life: birth, maturity, love, work and creation, (self)destruction and re-birth.
The Fifth Cardinal Direction can be found in ancient Asian-, Native American- and Indo-European cultures and represents the center, the here and now, the inner self. Based on this knowledge, this composition is an introspective journey to the inner self and its transformations during a person’s lifetime: birth, maturity, love, work and creation, (self)destruction and re-birth.
The two composers have been inspired by symbolism, rituals and music of North Vietnam’s ethnic minorities and are expanding their artistic language with contemporary means of expression.
“The fifth cardinal direction” has been selected to be presented at Operadagen Rotterdam on the 24. May 2018 and at Musiktheatertagen Vienna on the 16. June 2018
GREGOR SIEDL 