Embark on a journey into one of the most captivating medieval legends, the extraordinary tale of Josaphat and his mentor Barlaam, which traces its roots back to 3rd-4th c. India. This legend, steeped in cultural and historical significance, profoundly inspires Katarina Livljanić and the Diagolos ensemble's concert program.
This almost surrealistic tale opens with a king, Avenir, persecuting the Christians. When the astrologers predict that his son, Josaphat, will one day become a Christian, Avenir isolates the young prince from contact with human suffering, aging, or illness and confines him in an artificial ideal world. Despite his isolation from the real world, Josaphat meets the hermit Barlaam and converts through a series of colorful and unusual encounters, initiations, and teachings through parables.
The first Christianized adaptation of this story was the epic poem Balavariani, created in Georgian and written in the 10th century. It was translated into Greek and Latin in the 11th century before becoming extremely popular and widespread in Europe. It appeared in many manuscripts, such as the famous 13th-century Golden Legend, spreading through many languages. The popularity of this story was so intense that Josaphat and Barlaam were canonized by the Christian church, even though there was no evidence of their existence. Their cult survived well into the 20th century when their feast was finally removed from the calendar, but not from popular belief.
Immerse yourself in the popularity and cosmopolitan nature of this legend, which has inspired a program in which three performers embark on Barlaam and Josaphat's many wanderings. Experience the legend through a rich tapestry of musical repertoires, each one a unique thread from Greek, Latin, Old Russian, Old Croatian, Old French, medieval Occitan, and Italian manuscripts, promising a musical journey like no other.
These masterpieces create a dense and intense atmosphere that grows like the pulse of a shaman's drum. They lead the audience to a strong experience in which different languages and musical cultures meet in a surprising soundscape—like an audible Tower of Babel—of early medieval Europe.
The staging of Yoshi Oida reminds us of this legend's popularity and universal dimension, interpreted in seven different languages.