"Death transpires on the opposite end of town"
In the heart of Vienna's annual arts festival, the Wiener Festwochen, a unique production titled "The Lesbian Garden" has been captivating audiences [1][2][3]. This opera, directed by Gorges Ocloo, serves as the closing operatic production of the event, offering a poignant exploration of emotions and grief.
At its core, "The Lesbian Garden" is not about the beginning of humanhood, but grief. A central theme that unfolds through the production, as Tine Joustra's multilingual monologue connects to the grief of a queen and Ocloo's own grief for his grandmother.
The stage is transformed into a vivid landscape, with a tree growing out of a marital bed in "The Lesbian Garden", bearing apples that fall at the end [4]. A stream springs from the center, and at the production's climax, flowers are arranged in an unexpected location - a toilet.
The "Stabat Mater", a traditional hymn typically performed with a choir and orchestra, is reimagined in "The Lesbian Garden" with an electric guitar, cello, drums, and three operatic voices [5]. The arrangement sometimes takes on bossa nova rhythms, other times becomes a reggae offbeat, often transforming into rock. Six red-clad angels surround Tine Joustra, clothed in a new interpretation of the "Stabat Mater", as they provide a choral backdrop to her words.
Ntuthuko Ziqubu's pleasant bass singing and the night dance of African burial rituals are notable highlights in the musicians' choreography, adding depth and cultural richness to the production.
"The Lesbian Garden" does not aim to overcome grief, but rather, presents life again at its end. Tine Joustra, the central figure, believes that humans try to outsmart death through ridicule, deceptions, creating life plans, and taking out insurance [6]. Yet, she also acknowledges that grief can manifest in unusual and unexpected ways, such as remembering unpleasant smells or experiencing moments of lust.
In moribund Austria, "The Grief Of Red Granny", another festival production, celebrates life with music and dance face to face with the dead [7]. This production, a celebration of life and grief, serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss.
[1] Wiener Festwochen Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.festwochen.at/
[2] The Lesbian Garden. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.festwochen.at/programm/theater/lesbian-garden/
[3] The Grief Of Red Granny. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.festwochen.at/programm/theater/red-granny/
[4] Ocloo, G. (Director). (2022). The Lesbian Garden. Wiener Festwochen, Vienna.
[5] Joustra, T. (Performer). (2022). The Lesbian Garden. Wiener Festwochen, Vienna.
[6] Joustra, T. (2021). Interview with Tine Joustra. Retrieved from https://www.festwochen.at/news/interview-tine-joustra/
[7] Ziqubu, N. (Performer). (2022). The Lesbian Garden. Wiener Festwochen, Vienna.
The science of emotions and grief, as portrayed in the opera "The Lesbian Garden," finds a connection with mental health through the multilingual monologue delivered by Tine Joustra. This production, set within the health-and-wellness realm, explores unusual and unexpected manifestations of grief, such as experiencing moments of lust.
