About
A chamber opera after George Orwell's 1934 debut novel, set in a small town in Upper Burma. Librettist Sarah Howe and composer Prach Boondiskulchok place their retelling in the last days of British rule.
What to expect
The chamber opera retells the novel from a Southeast Asian perspective and puts the relationships between the Burmese characters first.
- Based on Orwell's 1934 debut novel
- Set in a small town in Upper Burma
- A 'Europeans-only' clubhouse must admit a Burmese member
- hsaing waing and piphat meet a Western ensemble
- Buddhist cosmology against the colonial machinery
Dates
Questions
When does Burmese days start and end?
Burmese days runs Sunday, 6 June 2027, 15:00.
Where is Burmese days?
Burmese days takes place at De Munt, Muntplein 6, Brussel.
What is the story about?
The story is set in a small town in Upper Burma, now Myanmar, in the last days of the British occupation.
It centres on a 'Europeans-only' clubhouse that must open to a Burmese member.
Social echo chambers, political manipulation and romantic complications add to the tension.
How is the music described?
The Thai composer brings the colours and virtuosity of hsaing waing and piphat music from the region together with a Western ensemble.
The result is a soundscape that explores the contrast between Buddhist cosmology and the colonial machinery and its complex legacy.
Find more classical music
Getting there
De Munt, Muntplein 6, 1000 Brussel, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, BE
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