Diary of One Who Disappeared

“Annelies Van Parys, an exceptional Belgian artist, has added her own compositions … and she has done so in a sublime way with an incredible amount of respect for Janácek’s music. … A very intimate performance, a miniature.”

Chantal Pattyn - Klara Radio - 12 March 2017

“One thing this production certainly has to offer, is the accompanying music composed by Annelies Van Parys. The added value is great, mysterious, beautiful. Elaborating on the existing passages for female voices, she has created full-fledged counter voices, who turn Janácek’s haunted male conscience inside out. This delivers a composition worthy of a wide audience and a long lasting life.”

Tom Janssens - De Standaard *** - 13 March 2017

“What stands out from all of this, is the way in which Van Parys has written the role of the gypsy woman. Van Parys finds a way to seamlessly entwine her style with Janácek’s style without the two coinciding. ... This flowing solo, incredibly rich in sound and rhythm and sung by the strong Zefka, proves why the future of the opera might well be feminine. On the stage, but certainly off the stage as well, at the composer’s table.”

Els Van Steenberghe - Knack Focus*** - 17 March 2017

“… an arresting confrontation with Leos Janácek, man and musician. Annelies Van Parys’ commentaries intensified the various stages in this concentrated song cycle... The tenor Ed Lyon was marvellous, both as an actor and singer. Powerful and persuasive… And also all praise to the mezzo Marie Hamard: precise, warm and passionate, and moreover a very natural presence on stage. … The only Czech member of the ensemble was the pianist Lada Valesová. She didn’t sing, but her piano-playing was masterly.”

Guido Defever - Klassiek Centraal - 5 April 2017