2015 » Iceland » Section of Countries and Regions

“O King, You Who Have Your Power From God”

An installation based on Verdi´s opera Don Carlos staged by The Icelandic Opera. (Premier at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík in October 2014.) In a room at the palace, King Filippo II´s costume is hanging by it self under the chandelier in the middle of the room. The waistcoat, still to be mended, can be seen by the sewing machine as well as some sketches and inspirations for the costume itself along with some personal belongings of the dresser. Out of the dresser´s corner some sound of the music from the opera can be heard, likely repetitively present on the dresser's mind. We hear lines where Rodrigo describes to the King the horrors of war and then the Flemish deputies, Elisabetta, Don Carlos, Rodrigo and the people beg the King for mercy, asking him to spare the lives of the condemned infidels and begging him to stop the war, the fighting, the fires. The King´s reply and frequently rehearsed speech can be heard or read by his wardrobe; his decision to sentence the guilty to death by fire and the sword. A flickering memory, the flash of the king´s death fires are cast into the room. The concept of the installation can be seen as “homage” to the Kings, who have their office or power of execution from the people or as in the case of Verdi´s opera, claiming to be ordained from God; their power to direct their citizens to war and even their power to sentence others to death or torture for any reason that suits their purposes. An imaginary situation where a protagonist King´s costume from the opera stage as well as the every day preparations made behind the scenes by the dresser, are chosen to reflect on justice, war, hierarchy and power. Amongst these the hierarchy existent within the opera or theatre and the visionary power of a powerful person´s traditional suit. Rodrigo: “O sir, I come from Flanders, that country, once so lovely, having now been deprived of every light, inspires horror and seems like a silent grave! The orphan, who has no place of rest goes along the roads weeping; Everything is consumed by sword and flame, pity is banished. The reddened river seems to flow with blood before one´s eyes; The cry of the mothers echo for their children who are dying…” Deputies: “ …A whole people implores you, let them not groan thus forever in tears. If your merciful heart asked for peace and mercy in the holy church, take pity on us, and save our land, O King, you who have your power from God.” Filippo: “When the crown was put on my head, people, I swore to the Heaven who gave it to me, to sentence the guilty to death by fire and the sword”. People:…”Stretch out over their heads your sovereign hand, sire, have pity on a wretched people, who go bleeding, dragging their chains, in despair, condemned to death.”

With the support of the Icelandic Opera and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Iceland.

sound track: from Verdis, Don Carlo at the The Icelandic Opera; conductor: Gudmundur O. Gunnarsson; soloists: Kristinn Sigmundsson, Oddur Jonsson, Johann F. Valdimarsson, Hanna D. Sturludottir, Helga R. Indridadottir and others; The Coir and The Orchestra of The Icelandic Opera director: Thorhildur Thorleifsdottir sound recording: The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service With the support of the Icelandic Opera and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Iceland