Blown Off Course explores relationships between Portugal and Japan through language, music and food. Since the Portuguese arrived in Japan in the 16th Century, as the first Europeans to encounter Japan’s rich and fascinating culture, multiple exchanges began and continue to this day.
This chamber opera recounts the chance meeting of Hanna, a Japanese woman and Valentim, a Portuguese man, in both the 16th Century and today. These encounters are a result of a ship (16th Century) and a plane (today) blown off course by the force of the wind (the narrator). Six centuries apart, these interactions develop relationships through the exchange of sounds, words and food traditions. The wind is a presence prompting seemingly chance events and orchestrated action. Musically, the work feeds from Japanese musical traditions such as Kabuki theatre, Gagaku and Zen Shakuhachi flute music, coming together with Portuguese sources from the 16th and 17th Century.
The opera is scored for Soprano, Baritone, Narrator, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, Percussion, Shakuhachi, Electronics, 2 Channel Video and a chef. Commissioned by Music Music Portugal, with the support from Queen’s University Belfast
Performances 12-13-14 January 2023, Oculto da Ajuda, Lisboa: live stream.
9 April 2024, Sonorities Festival Belfast, Brian Friel Theatre: live stream
PERFORMERS
HANA – Camila Mandillo – soprano
VALENTIM – André Henriques – baritone
WIND/VENTO – Miguel Azguime – narrator
SPECIAL GUEST – Kiku Day – shakuhachi
CHEF – Vicente Borges (Lisbon), Lukas Rebelo, Max Rebelo (Belfast)
Sond’Ar-te Electric Ensemble
Sílvia Cancela – flute
Nuno Pinto – clarinet
Vítor Vieira – violin
Luís André Ferreira – cello
Francisco Cabrita – piano
João Dias – percussion
Pedro Rebelo 