DOCHTER - Kika Sprangers x Sander Hagelaar x Xander Straat
DOOR Foundation and Stichting PAKS Music are releasing the new music theatre production Dochter by saxophonist and composer Kika Sprangers, directed by Xander Straat. The program is performed in collaboration with light designer Sander Hagelaar and a choir of nine female singers.
The interrelation between life and the immutable cycles of the seasons illustrates the inherent relativity of everything. The crux of existence lies not solely in individual self-development, but rather in the interconnection among all entities. For each child, there comes a moment when this realisation becomes deeply ingrained. 'Dochter' gives voice to this universal phenomenon, telling a story about growing up, the road to self-awareness, resistance to it, and the discovery of one's unique voice.
With music, text (Ingmar Heytze, Vasalis and diary fragments) and staged light installations, the performing musicians take the audience on an enchanting journey. In different scenes, they move freely in the light installation designed by Sander Hagelaar and immerse themselves in a three-dimensional experience of charged, lyrical and deeply emotional expressions.
Dochter comprises a repertoire of compositions by Kika Sprangers, Patrick Burgan, Stravinsky and The Bulgarian Voices, among others.
With her velvet sound, evocative musical language and compelling compositions, the Dutch saxophonist, composer and bandleader Kika Sprangers (Nijmegen, 1994) stands out as one of the most captivating instrumentalists in the Netherlands. Kika lets her sonic narrative deeply resonate with the audience through expressive and candid playing. In her own words: “The most esteemed validation I can receive is when my music elicits a profound emotional response in listeners, which I consider the ultimate form of compliment”.
The first version of this production was commissioned in 2021 by the National Youth Orchestras of the Netherlands during the Muziekzomer Gelderland.The premiere of this new version of Dochter will take place in DOOR Open Space on August 15, 2023. Dochter is made possible through the generous support of Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds (Margit Widlund Fonds, the Hausta Donans Fonds and the Carla Struycken Fonds), NORMA fonds and the Stimuleringsfonds.
Dochter is presented as a part of Grachtenfestival's series Jazz Gems.
Musical direction, saxophone and composition: Kika Sprangers
Stage direction: Xander Straat
Choir: Veronika Akmetchina, Anna Serierse, Sylvia Boone, Elea Bekkers, Fenne Scholte, Marit van der Lei, Nina Rompa, Līva Dumpe, Viktoria Nikolova
Light installation: Sander Hagelaar
