Renowned conductor Zoe Zeniodi will lead the world premiere of Barzakh, a bold new opera by composer Osama Abdulrasol, at Opera Gent (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Ghent) from November 13 to 17. Under the stage direction of Thomas Bellinck, Barzakh explores themes of confinement and judgment, drawing parallels between the Arabic concept of barzakh —a space between life and death—and the limbo of pre-trial detention. Developed in collaboration with incarcerated individuals through workshops in Belgian prisons, Barzakh combines personal narratives with Abdulrasol’s evocative music, questioning conventional portrayals of crime and punishment in opera.
The young Norwegian conductor Anna Hartmann joins the team as assistant conductor.
