A musical commentary on the last words of Christ: that was the somewhat unusual task entrusted to Joseph Haydn in 1785. The commission came from a small chapel in Cadiz, a sacred grotto carved out of the rocks.

Haydn found his experience in the chapel profoundly moving. The music he composed in turn made a deep impression on the audience: the seven slow sonatas are simple and almost meditative in nature, but it is their very fragility and intimacy that make the work so gripping.

Actor Johan Leysen collaborated with conductor Hervé Niquet on the texts that he will recite between each movement. Photographer Stef Van Alsenoy brings in another layer with his magical imagery, that will be projected around the orchestra.

spoken in Dutch, subtitled in French and English