Music & Direction	Constantine Koukias
Design & Project Consultants	Elvio Brianese & Peta Heffernan
Soprano	Sarah Jones
Electric Trombone & Electronic Effects	Donald Bate
Research & English Transliteration	Athanasia Houndalas
Dormition Section Composer	DAMEZA
Sound Design	Greg Gurr
Sound Operator	Peter Hasenkam
Lighting Design & Production	Jason James
Wardrobe & Fabrication	Elizabeth Monaghan
Production Assistants	Werner Ihlenfeld & Thanapoom Sirichang & Beau Damon

Dates	22 - 24 January 2010
Times	3pm, 8pm, 9pm & 10pm
Where	Peacock Theatre, 77 Salamanca Place Hobart
Duration	15 minutes
Bookings	www.mofo.net.au

Kimisis - Falling Asleep Technical Rider

Composer’s Notes KIMISIS - Falling Asleep (Greek: Κοίμησις ) is a gallery-style installation work celebrating a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox Church which commemorates the Dormition - the "falling asleep", or death and assumption into Heaven - of Mary, the mother of Christ. The word akathistos literally means "not sitting", i.e. standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. In this work, the soprano performs on a Pilates Trapeze Machine which provides the platform for the Dormition, a state of passing through repose into the realm of the eternal. The ritualistic elements of Kimisis direct the human senses to this unique window between the imminent and the transcendent. Samples of George Crumb’s Black Angels, a work that that has always inspired me, collides with the musical worlds of the Byzantine & Christian Arabic traditions of the Akathist Hymn. In the words of the musicologist Egon Wellesz, Byzantine Hmynography is “the poetical expression of Orthodox theology, translated through music to the sphere of religious devotion”. It is a highly sophisticated and powerful literary tradition that has extended over many centuries. In addition to the Orthodox tradition, there is also a presentation of Greek Gnosticism, an esoteric spiritual movement that developed from early Christianity and grew in parallel to the conventional religions. The Gnostics explained the world by very different creation myths and by reference to powers (considered magical and alchemical by traditionalists) very much at odds with traditional Christian ideology. English Translation Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin! Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin! Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin! Alleluia – Alleluia – Alleluia An archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice! And beholding Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to Her such things as these. Lord, have mercy on us. It is truly fitting to call you blessed, the Theotokos, Ever blessed and wholly pure and Mother of our God. Rejoice, Mother of the Lamb and the Shepherd: Rejoice, torment of invisible enemies: Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the Earth: Rejoice, for the things of the Earth join chorus with the Heavens! Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin! Rejoice, Mother of the Unsetting Star: Rejoice, dawn of the mystic day! Rejoice, Thou who didst extinguish the furnace of error: Rejoice, Thou who didst show us Christ the Lord, the lover of mankind! Rejoice, Thou who rescuest us from the flame of the passions! Rejoice, gladness of all generations! Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin! Incantation: I invoke thee, Lord, in a hymnic song, I celebrate thy holy might, aοηιουω. (Gnostic vowels) Holy God, Holy Immortal, Lord, have mercy us Angel Taketh , Angel Bringeth I need a voice... IHOS wishes to thank the generous support of Vos Construction & Joinery Pty Ltd

Constantine Koukias – Music & Design Constantine Koukias is the co-founder and artistic director of IHOS Music Theatre & Opera. IHOS has produced five large scale operas composed and directed by Koukias: Days and Nights with Christ, To Traverse Water, MIKROVION: Small Life - 36 Images in a Phantom Flux of Life, The Divine Kiss and Tesla - Lightning in His Hand in 2003. He is well known for his innovative work in contemporary opera and other forms. In 1993 he was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose ICON, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. In 1995 he composed and directed Medea for the State Theatre of South Australia. In 1997 his Incantation II for soprano and digital delay won the International Valentino Bucchi Vocal Prize in Rome and in 2004 he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. His work Prayer Bells, which draws on traditions of religious chant, was premiered at the Melbourne Federation Festival in 2001 and will receive its US premiere in October this year at the prestigious Chicago Cultural Centre. Within a Prayer at Lamplighting was commissioned by the China National Symphony Orchestra Australian tour to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic ties with China.

Elvio Brianese - Architect Elvio is Director of the architectural practice Forward Brianese + Partners. He has over 20 years’ experience in fine art, design, industrial design and architecture. His expertise encompasses a broad range of project scales and types, both in the public and private sector, internationally, nationally and locally. His ability to articulate strong design and sustainable principles has resulted in multiple award-winning projects. Elvio’s active role in the education and design community has resulted in frequent invitations by the UTAS School of Architecture to participate in its assessment programs and by the Australian Institute of Architects (Tasmanian Chapter) to be the Awards Chair and jury member.

Peta Heffernan - Architect After completing a Bachelor of Architecture with Honours at the University of Melbourne in 1999 and working in Sydney and Melbourne, Peta is currently an Associate at Forward Brianese + Partners in Hobart. Her experience extends across residential, sport, commercial, education and arts projects. Further design and cultural contributions include being the architecture editor of Hobart Design Index, co-founder and participator of the annual Australian Institute of Architects (Tasmanian Chapter) 10x10x10 event for Architecture Week, and an invitation to host In Conversation with Chris Bosse, which was part of the conversation series for 10 Days on the Island in 2009. Curatorial credits include Realisation of the Conceptual for 10x10x10 in 2008, Restraint, for 10x10x10 in 2009 and God is in the Details: Architectural Thresholds as part of Design Island 2009.

Sarah Jones – Soprano Sarah moved to Sydney from Tasmania in 2005 and graduated with a Master of Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium in 2006. In 2009 she appeared in Dido & Aeneas/Acis & Galatea for Opera Australia and as Clorinda/Tisbe in OzOpera’s NSW School’s production of Cinderella. She had previously performed Bartola/Basilia in The Barber of Seville (2008) and Queen of the Night/Papagena/Lady in The Magic Flute (2007) for the Schools Company. Other engagements have included Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans for Pinchgut Opera (2007) and Jonathan Mills’ film The Eternity Man. Sarah has created a number of roles for IHOS Opera, including The Woman in Matthew Dewey’s A Priest’s Passion, and Miss 2 in the world premiere of Tesla – Lightning in His Hand for 10 Days on the Island (2003). Sarah appears regularly with ensembles such as Cantillation, Sydney Symphony, Musica Viva, Auckland Philharmonia, and The Australian Tenors, and has recorded for ABC Classic FM on numerous occasions. She has studied with several wonderful coaches including Helen Todd, Jane Edwards, and currently, Dr Rowena Cowley. Other 2010 engagements include Craig Wood and Nicholas King’s musical The Perfect Circle in Hobart (February), and an Australian tour of the children’s music theatre piece FOX for Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People.

Donald Bate - Electric Trombone Donald Bate is Principal Trombone with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He began studies with Heinz Aepler in Sydney, continuing with Michael Mulcahy at the Canberra School of Music, where he completed his Bachelor of Music. Don was appointed to the position of Associate Principal Trombone with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, a position he held until his appointment with the TSO. Don has appeared as a soloist with the TSO, as well as appearing with the Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra symphony orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Don is known as an active improviser and composer, having worked with many ensembles across a range of genres. He was artistic director of the Benjafield Collective from 2003 till 2008 and has just written and directed a concert involving the TSO and hip hop artists. Don has appeared as a trombonist, singer and musical director in previous IHOS productions, including To Traverse Water and Days and Nights with Christ.

Athanasia Houndalas - Research & English Transliteration Athanasia studied Ancient Greek at the University of Tasmania and completed a postgraduate degree in Social Research in 1991. She has taught Modern Greek at the Hellenic Community Greek School in Hobart and is a member of the Estia Festival Committee of Tasmania. Her interests centre on language, communication and community development through the building of cultural and artistic capital. Athanasia has a passion for exploring all things Ancient and Byzantine Greek that continue to gently influence and intermingle with modern western life.

IHOS thanks the following individuals and organisations for their assistance in this production: Elke Rudolph, Colour Copy Centre, Production Works, Robert Rule and Coates Hire.