RITUAL OPERA COLLECTIVE
CREATING AND PRESENTING WORKS OF MUSIC THEATER STRUCTURED AS A CONTEMPORARY REPRESENTATION OF A PRIMORDIAL RITUAL.
Ritual Opera Collective started in 2014 in Bali (ID), where Jelena Vuksanovic (Author, Director, Dramaturg and Andys Skordis (composer, conductor) were studying Indonesian Art at ISI Denpasar. Ever since, they have created and presented music theater works as well as site specific pieces in a range of contexts and settings; from temples, rivers and abandoned buildings to conventional theatre spaces. Their work was presented in Bali, Berlin, Belgrade, Nicosia and Athens. They have received the Berlin Opera Prize in 2022.
Their collaboration is grounded in an ongoing exploration of mythology, urban myths, ceremonial forms and popular stories, connecting these foundations with universal human experiences and contemporary conditions. Their works draw from the past, speak to the present and imagine the future.
They seek new forms of storytelling that communicate through multiple levels of perception, inspired in particular by the Balinese concept of Sekala and Niskala; the visible and the invisible. Their process is non-linear and intuitive, developing through associations between archetypal and ritual language, sound, image, movement and text.
The resulting works exist between concert, theatre and ritual; creating spaces where the visible and invisible can meet.
Andys Skordis
Andys Skordis (Cyprus, 1983) is a contemporary composer specializing in large-scale works, music theater, and site-specific performances. He studied composition at Berklee College of Music and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, with additional studies in Karnatic music under Dr. Rafael Reina and Balinese Gamelan at ISI Denpasar in Bali. His work list includes over 90 works, ranging from operas, orchestral pieces, chamber music, vocal compositions, and Gamelan works. He has also created and directed music theater performances in locations such as quarries, temples, abandoned buildings, and forests.
Skordis’ music has been featured at renowned contemporary festivals, including Holland Festival, November Music, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Bali Arts Festival, Voix Nouvelles, CTM Festival, Unsafe and Sounds, Mixtuur, Symphony for Asia, etc. He has received commissions from Neuköllner Oper, Athens & Epidaurus Festival, International Ensemble Modern Academy, Gettysburg Symphony Orchestra, Third Coast Percussion group, Orkest de Ereprijs, Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, and more.
His music has earned international recognition, including the BUMA Toonzetters Prize, Berlin Opera Prize, Fedora Prize, Black Pencil Prize, 1st prize at the International Composition Competition for Piano Quintet, 1st prize in Ballet Orchestral Competition, 1st prize at the International competition Jaume Padrós, Award for Artistic creation by Cyprus National theater and more. Beyond composing, Skordis is the founder of the contemporary music ensemble PATSIAOURA which he directs. He also performs with his band OGMIOS, and was a lecturer at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam from 2018 to 2023.
Jelena Vuksanovic
is a writer, theatre practitioner and facilitator, artistic director, and screenwriter. She has an MA in dramaturgy, and with a classical education, she was always drawn to knowledge and practice about contemporary and experimental theatre. She has worked with many independent theatre groups, developing artistic and educational projects, as for the communities and professionals. With many fascinations, her focus is on contemporary opera, site-specific theatre, sensory theatre, forum theatre and movies.
In 2015. Her debut movie «Panama” premiered during the Cannes film festival. In 2018. she had a premiere of her first contemporary opera “In… Se… -dawning-” in Bali, Indonesia, composed by Andys Skordis. In the same team they created several pieces performed in Bali and Berlin. Since 2021. Jelena is one of the co-directors of the Gravida Collective, Wales, UK, organisation that focuses on development of creativity and wellbeing of female artists.
Mis
asdasdasd
MISSION: Ritual Opera Collective aims to create, produce, and present works of contemporary music theater worldwide. Ritual Opera Collective (ROC) is a non-profit organization based in Nicosia, Cyprus registered with the number ΗΕ 496072.
