ISLAMABAD: Goethe-Institut Karachi brought Franz Schubert’s Winterreise, a classical music and contemporary dance performance to Islamabad Thursday night.

Currently on tour in Pakistan, the German group held their performance in Lahore and their second at the Pakistan National Council of Art in Islamabad. Karachi will be their final stop.

Andreas Heise’s Winterreise is a unique, interpretation of Franz Schubert’s work. Besides the usual combination of voice and piano, he also added the element of dance.

The choreography created a dramaturgical triangle that emphasised the music, removed cultural barriers and allowed the performance to be emotional and physical. Filled with passion and intensity, the interdisciplinary work of art was a special experience.

The performance began with flawless precision. The sounds of Alexander Krichel’s piano were sedate and dreamily meditative. Soprano Julianne Banse’s singing was pure and lovely while Istvan Simon’s dancing was spontaneous and strong, with heightened sensibility and imagination.

Directed by the sought after choreographer Andreas Heise, the performance ran for more than an hour.

The show was the first step of mutual cultural cooperation between Goethe-Institut Karachi and the PNCA.

PNCA Director General Dr Fouzia Saeed and Goethe-Institut Karachi Director Stefan Winkler also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which will allow for collaboration on programmes of mutual interest and understanding to benefit both organisations.

The organisers claimed that the main aspect of this kind of cooperation is to open new horizons for younger generation to learn about the power of cultural information.

They said that MoUs with organisations that support and promote art and culture in Pakistan and abroad are vital.

Dr Saeed was of the view that such MoUs paved way to create international cultural understanding and further enhance working relationships among similar cultural organisations.

To achieve their common goals, the Goethe-Institut will conduct artistic activities in the form of live musical performances, lectures, workshops, presentation and related cultural and educational activities for the promotion of international cultural understanding among the Pakistani public. The PNCA will provide space, technical and professional help for such cultural activities in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020