South African artist William Kentridge returns this weekend to Barcelona’s Liceu Theatre to present his film ‘Oh to Believe in Another World.’
Kentridge has created this film as a visual accompaniment to the 10th Symphony of Soviet-Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich, under the direction of Catalan conductor Josep Pons.
The visual artist, one of the most important of our time, returns to the Catalan capital for the third time after his acclaimed production of Alban Berg’s ‘Wozzeck’ two years ago.
This time, he pays tribute to Shostakovich, who composed this symphony shortly after Stalin’s death. The work reflects on Stalin’s rule, serving as a musical portrait of the former Soviet premier.
“The piece becomes a way of looking at the political life in which Shostakovich was writing. Because what remains after 70 years is Shostakovich – he outlasted everyone, and his music continues to survive long after his death. It’s important to remember the context in which it was created,” Kentridge said.