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familyconcert (8+)
In 2016, commissioned by the International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht, Annechien transformed the main hall of TivoliVredenburg Utrecht into a circus ring. Together with the fantastic musicians of Janine Jansen & Friends, circus artists conjured up a procession of animals to the sounds of Saint-Saëns' famous Carnival of the Animals. Thematically, the whole was beautifully woven together thanks to the imaginative story written especially for this occasion by Toon Tellegen.
In 2026, a renewed version follows, in which Toon Tellegen also offers wise words to a new animal: the longhorn beetle. Next to this Utrecht city composer Nawras Altaky brings this beetle to life in an exciting sonic manner. Various young circus artists, from unicyclists to ball walkers, from clowns to aerial acrobats, share the stage with the amazing musicians of Janine Jansen & Friends. Before the intermission, a sextet lead by Janine Jansen performs Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence. There, too, the animals already play a role, as they are brought to life by the circus artists while surrounding the dreaming actress.
Incidentally, it was absolutely not Saint-Saëns' intention for Carnaval des Animaux to be preserved. In fact, he wrote his Carnival of the Animals merely as a diversion during the carnival of 1886. For himself and for his friends. Nothing more, and nothing less. And yet, this 'zoological fantasy' did not end up in the trash. Fortunately so, because now we can still enjoy this work. An ode to fantastic musicians, animals, performers, and artists.
Photo © Anna van Kooij