One

Music, libretto (E), video, directed by Michel van der Aa

Five old women each tell about a fundamental and identical incident in their life. The protagonist of the piece turns out to have played a key role in each of these incidents. Gradually we discover what her relationship to the old women is, and a penetrating portrait arises of a woman who has completely lost herself.
Michel van der Aa

In One Van der Aa combines singing, video and electronic sounds. The theatrical performance of the protagonist is supported and complemented by video images. The video projections and the live sections form a perfect fit with each other.

"Michel van der Aa fascinates in One... important is the sheer quality of the notes themselves, possessing a highly concentrated, sublime sharpness and a taut beauty, both mechanical and human." (Ernst Vermeulen, NRC Handelsblad, 13 Jan 2003)

"Mastery of the disorientation. With its absence of personalised psychology the piece spreads its aura over generations, since it reflects its secrets with the clarity of a mirror." (Sybill Mahlke, Der Tagespiegel, 12 Oct 2003)

"One is masterly... a wonderfully poetic piece. As enchanting as a dream." (Erik Voermans, Het Parool, 13 Jan 2003)

"Intense opera... The piece is innovative in its individual design. Imagery, sound and movement add up to more than the sum of its parts." (Roeland Hazendonk, De Telegraaf, 14 Jan 2003)

Dramatic