Kassia Undead, creation 2025
For this new creation, Lara Barsacq wishes to explore the rich heritage of Kassia of Constantinople, a 9th century igumen, poet, composer and hymnographer of the Byzantine Empire, who was canonized. She remains one of the first medieval composers whose scores have been preserved.
Her life and work will be a source of inspiration to start a scenic and choreographic research but will not be the main subject of the piece. She will not necessarily be evoked as a historical person, the focus will rather be oriented towards the appreciation of her works as well as their scope, from the Middle Ages to the present day, even into the future.
On stage, dancers and singers will bring to life scenes illuminated by forgotten works by Kassia.
After Lost in Ballets russes (2018), IDA don’t cry me love (2019), Fruit Tree (2021) and La Grande Nymphe (2023), Kassia Undead is Lara Barsacq's fifth project.
The premiere series of Kassia Undead is planned for October 2025.
Kassia Undead - a project by Lara Barsacq (creation 2025-2026)
Creation and performance: Lara Barsacq, Marta Capaccioli, Tarek Halaby, Aymara Parola, Clara Verkindere, Els Mondelaers, Agnès Potié, Emma Laroche
Original music: Cate Hortl
Music: Kassia de Constantinople
Light design: Estelle Gautier
Artistic advisor: Gaël Santisteva
Objects and stage design: Ateliers Indigo - Jean Everarts, Alice Forsberg, Magali Cote, Patricia Calà, Alexandra Siebert, Ismael Benallal (accompanied by Lily Sato and Corinne Chotycki)
Costumes design: Lara Barsacq
Costumes assistant: Catherine Somers
Technical direction: Emma Laroche
Sound: Benoit Pelé
Administration & production: Myriam Chekhemani, Elisabeth Maréchal
Communication & distribution: Quentin Legrand - Rue Branly
Production: Gilbert & Stock
Coproduction: Charleroi danse - Centre chorégraphique de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Théâtre de Liège, Les Brigittines, Concertgebouw Brugge, DC&J Création (BE), La Briqueterie CDCN (FR)
Residencies: Charleroi danse, Théâtre de Liège, Grand Studio (BE), La Briqueterie CDCN (FR), CSC - Centro per la scena contemporanea (IT)
With the support of Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Wallonie-Bruxelles International, the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government, and Inver Tax Shelter
Lara Barsacq is artist in residence at Théâtre de Liège (2024-2028) and at Cité musicale-Metz (2024-2026).
