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While writing this review about the HERR performance at the Shape of Sin party that occurred last September, I’m listening to the new album. This is the third full length album created by this intriguing band, which will be released in two parts. After the beautiful and well received theme album The Winter of Constantinople, there now is Vondel’s Lucifer, First Movement. Enchanted by this startling work of art, I decided to write a combined review, of both the performance and the album.
Joost van den Vondel finished the tragedy Lucifer in the year 1653. Lucifer tells the story about the main character Lucifer, who stood up against his lord and creator. In the first act the three devils Belzebub, Belial and Apollion give an elucidation of the situation. They tell how the humans, Adam and Eve, live happily in the paradise, and how the Angels, who’s lord is Lucifer, are dismayed by the fact that until now only they were the only creatures that existed.
Then Gabriël tells that God has created men to give him infinite mastery on earth and the Angels will only be most important in Heaven. He says God will send his Son to earth in the shape of a human being. Gabriël invites all Angels to celebrate men. Lucifer however, feels threatened in ruling earth and his heavenly powers. After Belzebub persisting, Lucifer decides to resist. Gabriël tries to change his mind about this calamitous plan, however Apollion succeeds to persuade Lucifer, who is in doubt about his actions, to proceed.
The third act begins with a verbal dispute between the Luciferians and the Angels, which is repeated in a conversation between Belzebub and Michael. Strangely, Belzebub seems to be far more vigorous than Lucifer. Lucifer remains a reasonably noble figure during the drama, which might have been saved by better advisors. By giving him a certain distinction, Vondel created a more powerful final end and the fall of the Stadtholder Lucifer, blinded by misplaced aspirations, became more appalling.
Vondel’s Lucifer, First Movement contains these three acts and HERR succeeded to create a surprising, neo-baroque opera of this piece. Michiel Spapé exceeded himself writing the enchanting and apposite music. Together with an international cast HERR has made yet another masterpiece; Holger F. (Belborn) as Gabriël, Richard Leviathan (Ostara) as Michael, Dev (While Angels Watch) as Uriel and Maria Southgate as the Choir of Angels, daughter of lead singer Troy Southgate.
-- ubermutti
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