Music Theater "Pusaffa

Kuniko Kato + Benefit Nakamura, rare musician and dancer, depict the world of Sappho's mythical melody with music by Xenakis! After the world premiere at the Museum of Art, Kochi, three performances at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No. 1.

PSAPPHA' is a world-famous early percussion solo work by Yanis Xenakis. Whether or not Xenakis reflected the title subject in his work, the title of the piece "Psappha" refers to the ancient Greek poet Sappho. Sappho was born on the island of Lesbos in the seventh century B.C. and wrote poetry in the Aeolian dialect.
Her work is highly regarded today as a pioneering effort for women to have their own voice and express themselves through poetry, born from a feminine point of view, and composing about women's feelings and experiences. It can be seen as part of a broader understanding of women's rights and equality, and its influence continued into later eras, as the importance of women's literary vocalization was also emphasized.
What kind of paintings will the rare dancer Benefit Nakamura create with Xenakis' music as her canvas? Her graceful movements symbolize a dialogue between the ancient and the modern, mathematics and poetry, and invite us into the world of mythical melodies.
The world of Sappho's mythical melody is depicted by Kuniko Kato + Benefit Nakamura, a rare musician and dancer with the music of Xenakis! After the world premiere at the Museum of Art, Kochi, three performances at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No. 1.

After the residency, creation, and world premiere at the Kochi Prefectural Art Museum, the production will move to Yokohama, where it will be performed for three performances. We hope that this music theater will be a feast of performing arts that opens up a new dimension of fusion between music and dance.
Noriko Kato