‘Broze Aarde’ – Fragile Earth
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Broze Aarde -A requiem for the planet
Christianne Stotijn, mezzo-soprano
Studium Chorale
Nederlands Blazers Ensemble
Music by Fant de Kanter | Poetry by Antjie Krog
With Broze Aarde (Fragile Earth), the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE), in collaboration with the Iona Foundation, presents a musical tribute to our vulnerable planet. The work is based on the poetry collection Broze Aarde by South African writer Antjie Krog.
Framed as a requiem-like mass, the work is performed by mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn and the chamber choir Studium Chorale, reflecting on humanity’s relationship with the Earth—both what we have taken from it and what it continues to give us.
The music is composed by Fant de Kanter, written specifically for this production.
In each city, the ensemble is joined by young singers from local school choirs as part of an educational outreach programme.
The result is a compelling artistic journey: a spiritual and urgent performance about humanity and climate, offering moments of consolation, strength, and hope.
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Fragile Earth / Broze Aarde is a new musical work by Fant de Kanter, inspired by the poetry of Antjie Krog.
Fant de Kanter writes:
“This poem deserves to be heard. It reflects on how humans currently treat the earth, including animals, nature, resources and each other. The reoccurring theme to do so is Ubuntu, the philosophy from the southern part of Africa which includes everything that exists as equal. This means sharing vs taking, forgiveness vs revenge, inclusion vs exclusion. It doesn’t condemn capitalism particularly, but it does question whether it benefits a community’s improvement. I can only hope whether my music will contribute to a wider knowledge of this poetic marvel, but my goal was to include multiple genres to address a wide range of preferences. The work aims explicitly at younger generations, for they’re the future and will have to deal with the inevitable development of global sustainable economics. The core of the commission is to make the music performable for amateur choirs and schools. Therefore, the Iona foundation will make free access to the score possible. And though the work contains 9 movements, every movement can be performed separately.”
The work is considered an example of ecotheopoetics, merging ecological awareness with poetic and spiritual reflection. It uses the structure of a requiem mass or “poetical liturgy” to create a new inclusive form of spirituality that embraces all of creation.
TOUR DATES
7 October – Leiden, Stadsgehoorzaal (World-Premiere)
11 October – Haarlem, PHIL
15 October – The Hague, Amare
16 October – Heerlen, PLT Theatre
17 October – Amsterdam, Muziekgebouw
20 October – Arnhem, Musis
22 October – Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg
For further details about the project please contact:
Sophie Dand / Rachel Walters
sophie@srcreativeconsultancy.com
rachel@srcreativeconsultancy.com
Fant de Kanter, Composer
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