Clorinda Agonistes – Clorinda the Warrior Tour 2022

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance’s dramatic and powerful new production Clorinda Agonistes – Clorinda The Warrior will be touring this summer and autumn. Inspired by the heroine of Claudio Monteverdi’s celebrated work Il Combattimento, the proud and fiery Muslim warrior Clorinda who defiantly refuses to reveal her name, Clorinda Agonistes weaves contemporary dance, film, and baroque and new music to create a story that explores violence, resilience and revelation across the boundaries of culture and time.

In Shobana Jeyasingh’s bold and surprising retelling of Clorinda’s story, Monteverdi’s heroine not only fights Tancredi the crusading knight (who falls in love with her across enemy lines) but also becomes the standard bearer for women who reveal themselves in new and powerful ways in times of conflict. The baroque beauty of Monteverdi’s score gives way to music by the celebrated Syrian-American composer Kareem Roustom, whose thrilling score includes Dabke rhythms and the haunting voice of Syrian soprano Dima Orsho.

The cast includes Jonathan Goddard and rising star dancer Jemima Brown as Clorinda, with live music sung by renowned tenor Ed Lyon and conducted by Robert Hollingworth, founder and director of the renowned voice ensemble I Fagiolini.

“Clorinda Agonistes is an intense and thought provoking work, skilfully bringing together attitudes bridging many centuries. It is moreover a multifaceted and stimulating work of art.” – Mark Aspen Reviews
“Richly layered… These exceptional dancers create an electric charge – they leap, kick, roll into exhaustion..” – The Guardian

“As the defiant warrior Clorinda, Jemima Brown is an impressive figure of mystery and strength. As Tancredi, Jonathan Goddard beguiles. The standout, however, is the tenor Ed Lyon.” – The Times

The World Premiere took place this July at Grange Festival, Hampshire. Clorinda Agonistes will tour this autumn at:

The Grange Festival – 13 and 14 July 2022

Sadler’s Wells – 9 and 10 September 2022 – Tickets on Sale here

Snape Maltings – 8 October 2022 – Tickets on Sale here 

The Lowry – 18 and 19 October 2022 – Tickets on Sale here

Oxford Playhouse – 15 and 16 November 2022 – Tickets on Sale here