The Sága project, created by Belgian band Dez Mona in collaboration with early music ensemble B.O.X (Baroque Orchestration X), represents a sophisticated musical exploration of narrative, mythology, and human experience. Drawing its name from Sága, the Norse goddess of history and storytelling, this innovative performance piece blends contemporary composition with historical musical forms to create what has been described as a "concertante opera."
Dez Mona, known for their distinctive fusion of jazz, classical, gospel, and French art songs, partnered with B.O.X, specialists in historical instruments like the baroque harp, theorbo, and baroque guitar. Together, they created a soundscape that bridges centuries and genres, demonstrating how mythological frameworks continue to inspire contemporary artistic expression.
Thematically, Sága explores fundamental human concerns—homecoming, belonging, and the search for light in a flawed world. Through a series of ballads, the project reflects on the soul's journey and the desire for connection to place and community. This exploration uses historical narrative as a mirror for contemporary experience, creating a poetic and musical journey that resonates across temporal boundaries.
The collaboration showcases how mythological structures provide enduring frameworks for artistic expression, allowing contemporary musicians to draw on ancient narrative patterns while addressing modern human concerns. By invoking Sága, the goddess who remembers and recounts all things, the project positions itself within a tradition of storytelling that connects past and present through shared human experiences.
The project received critical acclaim for its innovative musical arrangements and artistic execution when performed at events like the PROTOTYPE Festival, demonstrating the continuing appeal of mythologically-inspired narratives in contemporary performing arts.
𝌇 READ: "Superieur Muziektheater", Forum Online.
↑ ▢ "Sága", 2006. Performance production by Dez Mona & B.O.X; |<– ▢ ▢ ▢ –>| "Performance Photo Series", 2011-2017. Menuet, 2017, Production: LOD muziektheater; Nachtschade: Aubergine, 2011, Production: Muziektheater Transparant; Pianola, satire de trash, 2017, Production: ChampdAction; Infinite Now, 2017, Production: Opera Vlaanderen; Revelations, 2017, Production: Muziektheater Transparant & HERMESensemble; Photographer: Tom Roelofs; Sources: Various photographers including Koen Broos, Kurt Van der Elst, Annemie Augustijns, and ChampdAction; Sourced from links provided and/or Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons.
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Copyright: Source materials belong to the public domain sources they originate from. See source site links for full rights and usage details. Materials shared on this site are used in accordance with Public Domain, Creative Commons, Open Access licenses, or applicable Fair Use principles. All rights remain with the original creators.