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The Cabiri Present
Sommerwecken
A Teutonic tale of spring
Sommerwecken
Summer Awakens
Trarira! der Sommer der ist da;
wir wollen hinaus in garten
und wollen des Sommers warten (attend).
wir wollen hinter die hecken (behind the hedges)
und wollen den Sommer wecken (wake).
der Winter hats verloren (has lost),
der Winter liegt gefangen (lies a prisoner);
und wer nicht dazu kommt (who won't agree),
den schlagen wir mit stangen (we'll beat with staves).-Thirteenth Century Teutonic Poetry, as recorded by J. Grimm
In modern times, spring is commonly looked at as a gentle rising force. For this performance, we looked to Teutonic mythology and discovered a more aggressive portrayal of the coming of spring. In the weeks following the spring equinox, ritual dramas were performed throughout Old Europe. In this tale, a battle was fought wherein Summer rises up and slays the Winter King, thus freeing the world from Winter’s cold embrace.
Suggested Texts:
- Jacob Grimm, Teutonic Mythology (New York: Dover Publications, 1966) Also available online at www.midhnottsol.org
- James Frazer, The Golden Bough (London: St. Martin’s Press, 1955)
The Cabiri are John Murphy, Charly Barker, Cathie Cerna, Eric Stout and Catherine Holmes with Corybante dancers Corie Brooke, Sharon Moore and Michelle O’ Connor. Special guest Janna Wachter, mezzo soprano.
Many thanks to the Let's Dance! House Band: Carold Nelson-djembe & sounds, Chalice Bailey -djembe & bell, Mr.Treat -chimes, gong, & jun-jun.
The Cabiri are the theatrical emissaries for The Anunnaki Project, a multidisciplinary organization that seeks to promote awareness of cultures that have passed to antiquity.
See www.anunnaki.org for more information.
To contact The Cabiri call 206-609-3212
e-mail info@cabiri.org, or visit www.cabiri.org
