Symphonic Poem – Colours of the Green Emerald

A tone poem by Slovenian composer Avgust Ipavec, is an epic symphony commemorating the Great War and immortalising the Isonzo Front victims.

The music includes spoken passages featuring theatre actors reciting Simon Gregorčič’s poetry conveying a haunting foreboding of the imminent horrors of war and reading excerpts from letters received or sent by Slovenian, Austrian, Italian, Hungarian and Russian soldiers fighting on WWI’s Front.

The dancers symbolise everything that is good and comforting. The folklore group performs a light-hearted Resia Valley dance until interrupted by the explosions of mortal combat. The children’s folklore group represents the carefreeness of childhood in the maelstrom of war. An authentic scene depicts a Christmas encounter between the warring sides, while the orchestral segments are interspersed with songs in the languages of the warring parties performed by a mixed choir.