Louis Andriessen - Writing to Vermeer (1998)

Composer: Louis Joseph Andriessen (June 6, 1939 – July 1, 2021) Electronic inserts by: Michel van der Aa Libretto: Peter Greenaway Orchestra: Schönberg Ensemble and Asko Ensemble conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw Catharina Bolnes, Vermeer’s Wife: Susan Narucki Maria Thins, Vermeer’s Mother-in-Law: Susan Bickley Saskia de Vries, Vermeer’s Model: Barbara Hannigan Chorus: Dutch National Opera 00:00 Scene 1: Vermeer is away in The Hague. 03:09 Catharina’s first letter to Vermeer: Saskia is returning to her home in Dordrecht. 06:12 Maria’s first letter to Vermeer: She asks him to return soon. (7:53) Insert: “Violence“ 08:17 She describes how the family misses Saskia (8:45) 10:03 And when Johannes met Catharina. 11:15 Catharina gave Saskia a shawl, once a gift from Johannes. 13:16 End of the letter: Catharina will write tomorrow about Cornelia’s birthday. (14:19) Signatures 16:03 Scene 2: Cornelia’s Birthday 19:40 Catharina’s and Maria’s second letters: Cornelia has turned 9. Maria is trying to have Saskia come back. (22:01) Insert: “explosion“ 22:33 Catharina talks about the children: Gertruyd cut her hair to send to Saskia to get her to come back. 24:10 Maria describes her plan to get Saskia back. 25:50 Saskia’s first letter to Johannes: she has arrived safely in Dordrecht. 29:36 Catharina and the family are excited for Johannes’s return (30:27) Signatures 31:28 Scene 3 - 1 33:51 2 36:15 3 - Cornelia has swallowed varnish. (37:24) Chorus: Maria has bought ultramarine for Johannes. 38:37 4 - Duet of Maria and Saskia: Catharina is displaying symptoms of pregnancy. 41:03 5 - Catharina: Cornelia is sick from the varnish. 43:19 6 - Saskia: the baby will be a boy because of the blue Catharina is wearing. 45:46 7 - Maria: Catharina seems sicker this time. 48:04 8 - Saskia’s signature (49:51) Catharina’s signature 50:42 Scene 4 - 1 - Saskia’s second letter: she asks how the children are doing 52:57 2 - Catharina worries about the family’s finances. (54:23) Insert. Maria comments on the women in Johannes’ paintings. 55:34 3 - Maria: “It’s all women that you paint.“ (57:04) (57:35) Insert 58:24 4 - Catharina writes about how much they miss Johannes, and about their future. 1:00:49 5 - French invasion (1:02:13) Insert: “interruption streetfights“ 1:03:16 6 - Saskia sings Sweelinck’s “Mein junges Leben“ 1:04:43 7 - “My mother bought me some music sheets...“ (1:06:14) Maria sees Catharina writing 1:07:02 8 - Maria: “You paint us all writing so often.“ (1:07:47) Saskia tried to convince her father to visit cousins who live near Johannes. 1:08:58 Scene 5 - A little dance with the children 1:12:05 Catharina’s fifth letter: a family outing at the fortifications (1:14:30) Insert: “halberds savagery“ 1:15:14 Saskia: Her father introduces her to a potential suitor. (1:16:15) Joachim and Abraham show up to meet Saskia as part of Maria’s plan. 1:17:34 Saskia’s outing with Abraham. Maria hopes her plan is working. (1:19:24) Insert: “riots in snow“ 1:20:08 (1:21:03) Maria: Saskia is coming back. (1:22:23) “Come back, Saskia.“ 1:23:35 Scene 6 1:26:21 Catharina and Maria’s final letters: Johannes is coming home soon 1:28:31 Catharina worries what would happen if Johannes never came back (1:29:20) Insert: “The murder of Johan de Witt“ 1:31:08 Catharina: “I would buy myself a mirror.“ Maria tells him about the gifts the children have made for his return. 1:33:24 They ask Johannes to come back quickly. (1:35:14) Maria’s signature 1:35:40 A knock at the door 1:37:06 Saskia’s final letter: she is coming back. (1:38:31) Saskia and Catharina are excited to see Johannes again. 1:39:14 Catharina’s and Saskia’s signatures. A flood envelops the city. Score available here: