What drives humans to explore? In her new composition The Song of Koios, composer Mathilde Wantenaar gives musical expression to human curiosity in an adventurous journey filled with science, history, imagination, and wonder — for young and old alike. The star of composer Mathilde Wantenaar (1993) is rapidly rising. In this monumental new work—a world premiere—she takes us into a world where science and music meet. Koios means “to ask questions.” The Song of Koios — an evening-length work presented under the title Dear Professor — centers on the unstoppable scientific curiosity of humans, which can lead to both progress and destruction. Wantenaar composed three brand-new movements as a continuation of her successful chamber opera Dear Professor Einstein (2022), for which librettist Willem Bruls used letters from children to Albert Einstein. Dear Professor was developed in collaboration with SNAAR Festival.
Florian Helgath: conductor
Mathilde Wantenaar: composer
Willem Bruls: librettist
Kenza Koutchoukali: director
Yannick Verweij: scenography and video design
Joske Commandeur: assistant video designer
Merel Vercammen: violin
Lotus de Vries: viola
Anne Meike Burgel: cello
Thomas Pol: double bass/bass guitar
Ramon Lormans: vibraphone
Mathilde Wantenaar: composer
Willem Bruls: librettist
Kenza Koutchoukali: director
Yannick Verweij: scenography and video design
Joske Commandeur: assistant video designer
Merel Vercammen: violin
Lotus de Vries: viola
Anne Meike Burgel: cello
Thomas Pol: double bass/bass guitar
Ramon Lormans: vibraphone
