French philosopher Simone Weil identified gravity and mercy as the two forces that rule the world, which the soul must succumb to. This global knowledge makes her the spiritual sister of Lili Boulanger. The psalm compositions of the visionary composer who died at an early age, give expression to the collective crisis of Yahweh’s people. Without fear she allows the penitent choir to drop into the boiling depth to fall „upwards” into the light. In between segments, two intimate motets by Igor Stravinsky offer a place of consolation: He did not start praying until he reached old age. While the „Ave Maria” and the „Pater noster” reach out to the maternal and paternal instances, Francis Poulenc shows the Mother of God in the moment of greatest weakness. However, „no poetry […] is genuine if it rules out fatigue” (Simone Weil). In Lili Boulanger’s „Vieille prière bouddhique” the human voice overcomes the fears of civilization and language as such. The utopia is amazement with a closed mouth.

This production will be hosted by the Chorwerk Ruhr on behalf of the Ruhrtriennale.