Counterpoint

Three, two, one… go! Scores at hand, the coach erupts in a cacophony of musical instruments and limbs as The Ricciotti Ensemble invades yet another city square. Random audience and passers-by freeze, momentarily vexed by the unexpected, and curious to what awaits them. They witness a symphony orchestra assemble before their eyes in under two minutes. The ensemble falls silent, the conductor counts down. Both people and square are enveloped by Glinka’s overture; conquest is imminent.

With Counterpoint director Dorien Janssen portrays two worlds colliding. That of the young and talented, classically trained musician – full of idealism and aspirations – confronting the reality of every-day life, the vacuum consuming the pedestrian and the less fortunate. Itintroduces us to hobo’s and the homeless, asylum seekers and the detained, the unexpectant passers-by and residents of Pijnacker square in Rotterdam; all listen, and react, in their own way, in their own time, on their own terms, on their own turf. This leads to touching and amusing confrontations between the two – often opposing – worlds, in which both gain harmonic coherence whilst retaining a degree of independence. Before going their separate ways again, changed.