Hijangua – A Journey into the Desert is an adaptation of the first Namibian opera Chief Hijangua. The music theatre for children aged 6 and over is being produced especially for the Humboldt Forum with singers from Namibia, dancers and puppeteers as well as a chamber ensemble from the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB). A narrator guides the audience through Namibian nature, culture, history and myths. The RSB will perform at the Humboldt Forum under the direction of the composer.
Fig. above: Stellfotos mit Tierpuppen für “Hijangua – Eine Reise in die Wüste” (Kinderoper Namibia) © Momentbühne e.V. , Foto: Kim Mira Meyer
Chief Hijangua is Namibia’s first opera and celebrated its premiere in 2022 at the National Theatre of Namibia. The Namibian-German cooperation project, initiated by composer Eslon Hindundu and director Kim Mira Meyer, stands for a multilingual and intercultural exchange between the two countries.
The artists have created a new version of the opera especially for children aged 6 and up. The music theatre for children Hijangua – A Journey into the Desert was conceived by Momentbühne München in cooperation with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and will be premiered at the Humboldt Forum on 21 September. The plot is based on a story that has been handed down from generation to generation in Namibia. A narrator, two singers, two dancers and puppeteers will lead the audience through the story and the Namibian world of myths. They are accompanied by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, which is celebrating its 100th birthday with this project, among others.
Hijangua and Matjiua have always been best friends. Now Hijangua is supposed to learn how to be a king. But who wants to be a king when you have best friends? Together, Hijangua and Matjiua sneak out of their village and go into the desert so they can stay together forever. But the Namibian desert is so big – what adventures might be waiting for them there … ?
The music theatre for children Hijangua – A Journey into the Desert was produced by Momentbühne Munich in cooperation with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Supported by the LOTTO-STIFTUNG Berlin and Siemens Arts Program. With the kind support of the German Foreign Office, the German Embassy Namibia and the Goethe-Institut Namibia. Media partner: Deutschlandradio.
Hijangua – Eine Reise in die Wüste ist eine Bearbeitung der Oper Chief Hijangua. Das Werk arbeitet in einem mehrsprachigen und interkulturellen Austausch die gemeinsame Geschichte zwischen Namibia und Deutschland während der Kolonialzeit auf. Am 15. September 2023 findet die Europa-Premiere im Haus des Rundfunks in Berlin statt.
WHERE?
Humboldt Forum
Saal 2
Schloßplatz 1
10178 Berlin
WHEN?
21. 09.2023 10 and 12 hrs
22.09.2023 10 and 12 hrs
23.09.2023 14 and 16 hrs
COSTS?
8 / 4 Euro
