the deer park
a choral drama about opression
Borgholm Castle
drabantsalen
May 12 at 19.00
köpings church, köpingsvik
dress rehearsal concert
May 11 at 19.00
Program:
Consert introduction
The Deer Park
Program:
Vokalharmonin, special program
Pause
The Deer Park
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MIKA TAKEHARA, percussion
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DOHYO SOL, lute, theorbo
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MATS WALLIN, bass clarinet
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VOKALHARMONIN, choir
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FREDRIK MALMBERG, conductor
HANS GURSTAD-NILSSON, music and libretto
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On April 7, 1569, the Swedish King Johan III declares Öland a Royal Deer park. This is the prelude to more than two hundred years of oppression of Öland's commoners. The protected game reproduce freely, trample down and eat the crops. All hunting is prohibited. Dogs must be mutilated so that they become three-legged. Cutting timber and firewood from the forests for household needs becomes illegal.
In order to survive the islanders ignore the prohibitions. Violations are severely punished, with public whipping, heavy fines, forced labor and in some cases banishment. The collective memory of the torments is an open wound to this day.​
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The Deer park is a choral drama about historical identity on Öland, a fairy tale between historical reality and fable, where the animals themselves intervene.
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In collaboration with Öland´s hembygdsförbund. With generous support from Signatur, SydostLeader, Swedish Arts Council, Borgholm municipality and Ölandsfonden.
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