Festival of Flanders Mechelen

The story of James, Luc and Pat

Charlotte Wajnberg, Aäron Wajnberg & Pat Donnez

The poetry collection Pomes Penyeach by James Joyce provided the inspiration for Luc Van Hove’s Opus 60. After composing several instrumental works, including a fourth symphony, Van Hove rediscovered an attraction to words and the human voice. Joyce’s direct, relatable poetry invited him to compose open, eloquent music. In his often short and pithy poems, Joyce recalls incidents in his life. The poetry is rich in all kinds of references. Love and melancholy pervade the text with its apparently simple wording that conceals rich layers of meaning. As such, it is the ideal basis for a song cycle.

The poet and journalist Pat Donnez welcomes James Joyce to Mechelen with a selection from his own collection, Radeloos en betoverd.

The composition of the song cycle was commissioned by Lunalia and Antwerp LiedFest.
The performance at Lunalia will be the world première.

11.05.2025
15:00 — 16:15

Predikherenkerk
Goswin de Stassartstraat 88, 2800 Mechelen