“Somnus is a work created as part of the 2019 Fremantle Biennale. In this unusual exploration of the nature of sleep, the audience was immersed in the experiences of four sleepers as they navigated the fear and ecstasy of REM and non-REM states. By day, the columned PS Art Space served as a sanctuary for sleep; by night, it transformed into an otherworldly realm of kinetic still life, nocturnal languages, poetry and evocative musical landscapes, where viewers wandered through the phases of sleep.
SOMNUS
AUTHOR Jennifer Kornberger
DIRECTOR Horst Kornberger
MUSICAL SCORE, MUSICAL DIRECTION Eva Jurgec
COSTUMES Carolin Linge
SET DESIGN Tom Muller
CAST Antonio Giri Mazzela, Dale Irving, Lucy Ridsdale, Mararo Wangai, Miha Bezeljak, Phoebe Sullivan
MUSICIANS Uroš Jezdić – accordion, Klemen Bračko – violin, Ljoba Jenče – vocals and acting, Eva Jurgec – oboe, English horn
CHORUS: Nick Eustance, Bronwyn Elliott, Stephen Turley, Peter Ormond, Susanna Fleck, Gosia Slawomirski, J-P le Breton, Elena Mavrofridis, Carolin Linge, Jennifer Hill, David Rosling, Peter Čuješ
Jaya Penelope
SPEAKERS AT THE ENTRANCE: Jaya Penelope, John Bluntschli, Gilly Berry, David Rosling, Susan Wallwork
Joanne Lunay, Sharon Clifford, Christian Geyer, Ian Parkes
DANCERS: Joanna Cooper, Zendra Giraudo, Emma Andrews
Audio recordings
These were created during the course of the work process, upon completion of the project. They are short excerpts from a 45-minute musical score.
The Beginning
The Sons’ Dance
Stoning
The Coronation
Beggars – oboe solo improvisation
Transition to the Conclusion
Conclusion – Exit