new production – January 2026
IMAGO MUNDI:
Eugénie De Mey, voice & fiddle
Vardan Hovanissian, duduk
Sofie Vanden Eynde, lute, theorbo, concept & artistic direction
Vladimir Gorlinsky, composition
Jo Thielemans, sound & live-electronics
In a world where political stances have become almost unavoidable, I seek a subtler, yet no less powerful response. With a new interpretation of John Dowland’s Lachrymae or Seven Tears, I aim to create a lament that reflects the pain of humanity, caught in a cycle of errors: wars, climate change, genocide, burnout, and the rise of far-right movements. At the same time, I hope to offer a glimmer of light – a belief in the transformative power of art and music. My inspiration comes from the melancholics of earlier times, such as Robert Burton, who, in his The Anatomy of Melancholy, saw human suffering as a symptom of broader social unrest: war, superstition, corruption, and greed. The School of Night, a society that embraced melancholy as a source of inspiration, also serves as a guiding influence. They believed that darkness is essential for light to shine. For this project, I am once again collaborating with composer Vladimir Gorlinsky, known for Vanishing Point and Whirling Waters. With his Armenian roots and his deep connection to the musical traditions of that land, he brings a unique depth to the composition. The ensemble consists of duduk, lute/theorbo, voice, amplification, and live electronics, with the four of us performing on stage. The texts, a blend of ancient and contemporary literature, might include contributions from modern city poets, offering a poetic commentary on the times we live in.
Early music by: John Dowland and possibly other melancholic composers
New music by: Vladimir Gorlinsky