Lacrimosa: A Journey Through Tragedy and Human Nature

Lacrimosa is a powerful and haunting performance inspired by one of Medieval France’s most devastating events. In 1485, the French town of Arras was decimated by the plague, which claimed the lives of half its population. Survival often came at a cost, as fear and desperation drove people to scapegoat those they deemed “outsiders.”

Three years after the plague subsided, a wave of prejudice swept through Arras. Furthermore, citizens, driven by superstition and fear, targeted Jews and women, accusing them of witchcraft. Consequently, this blind hunt for the so-called guilty resulted in the massacre of one-fifth of the town’s population, exposing the darkest side of human nature.

Musical and Ritualistic Inspiration

The music of Lacrimosa draws heavily from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem, featuring iconic pieces such as:

“Dies Irae”
“Tuba Mirum”
“Rex Tremendae”
“Lacrimosa”

“Agnus Dei” In addition, the performance incorporates movement and rituals inspired by the Anastenaria cult, an ancient Greek possession ritual. Notably, this ritual, practiced even today, involves firewalking and intense spiritual experiences, thereby creating a visceral connection to themes of suffering and transcendence. The ensemble’s contributions were also significant, shaping the interplay of music and movement to deepen the performance’s emotional resonance.