"Praying to Whom" is this opera's subtitle about identity, impossible love, faith and human power.
"Pray. But to whom' With these words Stefan Hertmans summarizes the inner conflict of his title heroine in his haunting novel 'The Convert'. With Vigdis Adelaïs, Hertmans created a strong woman who, at the time of the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century, became torn between her Christian upbringing and the Jewish faith, to which she converted for her lover, and after which she takes the name Hamoutal. "The Convert" tells the story of a young mother who, in times of religious violence, becomes the victim of a pogrom and tragically goes down in her search for her abducted children.
Soprano Lore Binon sings the title role, six singers from different vocal traditions interpret the numerous other characters. In addition to members of the Choir and the Children's Choir of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, an Antwerp city choir is also part of the line-up. Director and visual artist Hans Op de Beeck, who is also responsible for scenography and costume design, creates a poetic visual world, in which Vigdis's quest is central to an age-old world that is mind-bogglingly similar to ours.
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