القدس Jerusalem

Created in turbulent and perplexing times, القدس Jerusalem is Lemi Ponifasio’s major new work. Inspired by the epic Concerto Al Quds by the great poet Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Esber), it will premiere here before touring internationally.

القدس Jerusalem is not a documentary about a city. Nor a political or religious commentary. It is a meditation on the universal tensions between idealism and reality, life and death, beauty and malice, freedom and control, love and hatred. It is the creation of a space to come together, seek recovery and new beginnings.

Expect impeccable artistry from the performers of the MAU company and exquisite, stark design. If defined in traditional terms, this could be opera, theatre and dance. But it’s better framed as ceremony: an intense, unforgettable evening for you to question, reflect and dream.

Concept / Design / Director: Lemi Ponifasio
Technical and Light Director: Helen Todd
Management: Susana Lei’ataua

There is a pre-show talk with Lemi Ponifasio for this event on Sunday 23 February at 4pm in the Opera House foyer.

Jerusalem is commissioned by New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Toi Whakaari, Oper Köln and Akademie der Künste der Welt Köln.