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A A R D A P P E L V R E T E R S



introduction to the work

‘Aardappelvreters’ is a contemporary opera about the growing divide between the farmer and the citizen. Made in joint collaboration by Silbersee, Gouden Haas and Slagwerk Den Haag, the performance is not shown in a classical theatre setting but on location, at different farms in the Netherlands.

Peeters was commissioned a photo exhibition depicting the life of eleven Dutch agriculturalists, which the public could visit before or after the performance. The series depicts the modern farmer’s approach; their strengths, their struggles, their stubbornness to pursue the passion for what they do.



images




exhibitions

– Karavaal Festival (2018), Egmond aan den Hoef, The Netherlands
– Oerol, Terschelling (2018), The Netherlands
– Grazende Zwaan (2018), Nieuw Vennep, The Netherlands

Alongside the exhibition, there was also the oppertunity to delve into the famer’s stories online.
Starring: Klaas Valkering, Marco Klaver, Cees Spanjer, Ad Baltus, Tineke van den Berg, Willemien Koning-Hoeve, Kees Nieuweboer, Jaap Nieuwman, Ted Boon, Matthieu Koning, Aldert Dekker. 



opera

A farmer’s family comes together to bury their deceased mother and to divide the meager inheritance. The son stayed at the potato farm. The daughter left the countryside for a more refined city life. With the division of the inheritance the family threatens to become further torn apart.

‘Aardappelvreters’ is an opera about the tension between city and countryside: the differences in landscape, culture and lifestyle. In the modern farmer there may house an independent soul, in the meantime he is bound in all respects: to the banks, to European rules and to customers who stipulate minimum prices.

The opera was performed on location.
– Karavaan festival, Egmond a/d Hoef
– Oerol, Terschelling





client & support

This project was a commissioned assignment by: 

– Silbersee
– Gouden Haas
– Slagwerg Den Haag

Aardappelvreters was possible thanks to the generous support of: 
– BankGiro Loterij Fonds


press

– Aardappelvreters is een geslaagd sprookje, De Volkskrant, June 3rd 2018 • read here

– Mooie beelden en muziek in Aardappelvreters, Scènes, June 3rd 2018 • read here

– Radio interview (min 54), Spijkers met Koppen, NPO Radio 2, June 2nd 2018 • listenn here
– Kiezen tussen Stad en Land, Theatherkrant, June 1st 2018 • read here
– Theater in het hoge gras is razend populair, Trouw, June 1st • read here
– Een opera tussen de koeien, Noordhollands Dagblad, May 31st 2018 • read here
– Onbekende Werelden Induiken, De Telegraaf, May 31th 2018 • read here