ZASLEDOVANJE (The Hunt)
a physical opera in progress
directed, composed, choreographed by Ann Papoulis
premiere projected for 2028 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Zasledovanje tells the story of a group of Undine — water spirits played by singers, dancers, actors — living deep in Slovenian thermal waters. Perturbed by the volatility of the world, they decide to go out on a hunt for eternal energies and stories that can soothe & rejuvenate. They move through rivers, caves, lakes, waterfalls, gorges, and in the final scene reach the open sea.
za - towards
sled - trace, footprint
Zasledovanje - in pursuit of traces
2 minute teaser — with Marko Mandić & Inja Zalta
The Undine move through 12 Slovenian water landscapes, whose energies are brought to life through film, music, dance & theater. Presented here are stills from films of these water bodies, excerpts of drafts of films & music of some of the scenes, and paintings that provide visual embodiments of their energies.
The story and choreography of the opera is emerging from these visual and musical explorations.
scenes
scene 1 stirring of the Undine, Rimske Toplice
scene 2 the conference, Savinja River
scene 3 palimpsest, Škocjanske Jame (caves)
scene 4 vortex, divje jezero (wild lake)
scene 5 through the looking glass, Idrijca River
scene 6 alchemical laboratory, Iški Vintgar
scene 7 untitled, Bovec
scene 8 untitled, Soča River
scene 9 untitled, Bled Lake
scene 10 untitled, Lake Cerknica
scene 11 untitled, forest
scene 12 untitled, seaside
one minute excerpts of drafts of film & music
The films will be projected onto the performers, who will be dressed in white and enter into dialogue with them.
The sketch of the music you hear will be arranged for and recorded by a chamber orchestra & choir
and woven with natural sounds of water and electroacoustic sounds.
The opera will be a duet between this recording and live mezzo soprano & baritone voices.
scene 1 the stirring of the Undine
Rimske Toplice, Savinja River
voices Marko Mandić & Inja Zalta
scene 3 palimpsest
Škocjanske Jamę (caves)
scene 5 through the looking glass
Idrijca River
voices Marko Mandić & Inja Zalta
scene 6 alchemical laboratory
Iški Vintgar
paintings
The paintings offer visual embodiments of the rhythm and sensations of the aquatic bodies.
Creating them is integral to my working process for composing, choreographing and film creation.
pigment, oil & turpentine on paper
scene 1 stirring of the Undine
scene 1 stirring of the Undine
scene 2 the conference
scene 2 the conference
scene 3 palimpsest
scene 3 palimpsest
scene 4 vortex
scene 4 vortex
scene 5 through the looking glass
scene 5 through the looking glass
scene 6 alchemical laboratory
scene 6 alchemical laboratory
scene 7 untitled, Bovec
scene 8 untitled, Soča River
scene 9 untitled, Lake Bled
scene 10, untitled Lake Cerknica
scene 11 untitled, forest
scene 12 untitled, sea