For one evening, the Theatre Carre in Amsterdam embodies Purgatoire Asko Ensemble / Schoenberg, led by Reinbert de Leeuw, play the music of Louis Andriessen while the Travailleurs go about their business preparing souls for their eventual transfer to heaven. Like any self-respecting "multinational", Purgatoire has numerous video screens on which he keeps an eye on human folly. Tonight, Purgatoire is moving toward two particular days in Amsterdam.

Synopsis (on stage)

Part I - La Ville de Dis, or Le Navire des imbeciles

The work opens with a Latin text from the first pages of "Das Narrenschiff" followed by a work of 16th century "The Guild of the Blue Barge". Beatrice appears and says she asked Virgil if she could assist Dante in his quest to eternity.

Two men in a boat on the way to Dis, the City of flames in Hell. They see two mad women screaming on the roofs of the burning towers and someone walking on water. Dante decides "I was convinced she was sent from heaven."

Part II - Récit de L 'enfer

Dante tells a funny story about one of the elder devils, who shows him the way. This Malacoda gives Dante an escort of ten devils who have no fear. A curious musical marche is heard as they plod through Hell.

Part III - Lucifer

A long instrumental introduction brings us one of the deepest horrors of hell. The chorus describes Lucifer, who finally appears. He is jealous because God created mankind in His own image. He screams his strong desire for revenge and his joy.

Part IV - Le jardin des délices

Dante meets his dead friend Casella, a musician who sings one of Dante's sublime sonnets. Dante sings a song about a terrifying serpent that is chased by huge birds, and it is then helped to cross the river Lethe's when he sees a procession of great beauty. Dante is hit by a car and dies. The chorus sings a text from "Song of Songs" dedicated to the Bride of Lebanon.

Part V -La lumière éternelle

A light of music, coming from who knows where, is interrupted,by a choir of careless children singing a text of the Requiem. Beatrice describes this light as that of love. Under a starry sky, the two women soloists join together. Dante sings the celestial bodies and the music of the spheres before being interrupted by Cacciaguida, who complains of the Florentines. The choir and Beatrice sing the eternal light that conquers all sorrow.

Synopsis (on screen)

1) La Cité Dis (or Le Navire des imbéciles)

The terrifying orchestra of the 21st century, known as the "Guild" is playing in the streets of Amsterdam. At the end of the day, after sharing their winnings, musicians go to their favorite bar, Le Navire des imbéciles, where Lucifer, a local businessman with fraudulent political ambitions, is at the forefront.

Meanwhile, the two young activists arrive in town to distribute political leaflets during the visit of the famous Beatrice. Dante, an Italian TV reporter, prepares his story to film this important event.

Maria is saddened to see her friend Lucia allowing herself to be seduced by the young tattooed cornist Farfarello, who took her to Le Navire des imbéciles.

In the bar, the musicians of the "Guild" get drunk, dance, argue, fight and try to seduce each others wives and girlfriends. A fierce battle breaks out between Calcabrina and Libbicocco.

2) l'histoire venant d'enfer

musicians wake up on a beach outside the city. Lucia is with them, lost and anxious. Maria follows them. Calcabrina Farfarella resents having brought the girl with them. Alinchino chooses the music for the day while Graffiacane practices his cello. Lucia and Maria are fighting.

3) Lucifer

The musicians go to work, but Libbicocco fights with the police who end up arresting all of them including Lucia, who was surveying the scene, fascinated. Maria waits outside the police station while Lucifer pays the bail for their release and tells them of his new plans to overthrow the government in paradise. Meanwhile, Beatrice arrives at the hotel and Dante prepares his film report.

4) Le jardin des délices terrestres

Freed from prison, the musicians drift to the canals of Amsterdam to reflect on their transgressions. Malacoda has his own boat and tries to reconcile with Calcabrina. Dante films his reportage and Beatrice appears on the balcony of the hotel facing the crowd. Dante,is amongst the crowd and alsothe musicians, is so moved by the presence of Beatrice that he forgets the traffic on the road. Dante is hit by the Beatrice's limousine and dies.

5) Lumiére éternelle

The musicians are driven from the city. Maria Lucia and follows them. Beatrice leaves for the airport. Lucifer complains about the state of affairs in Florence and gives us his advice. A crowd of children go in and out and warn that even if we don't know what is happening, they do.

During this time, Les Travailleurs de Purgatoire receive instructions from their superiors to transfer a soul, who has finished his period of penance,to Paradise.

(*) The Guild is inspired by two sources: a hilarious group of devils coming from the "L'Enfer" of Dante (listed and described in the second part of the Commedia), and a musical ensemble that Louis Andriessen has often "threatened" to create at least to play the music that a normal orchestra could not interpret. He calls this set "the terrifying orchestra of the twenty-first century".

(trans. NM)