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THE ARCHIVES
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Morrigan's Pit has closed down as of November 2006. The site and its articles will stay online as an archive until September at least, but probably longer.
The Archives
2002-2006
» CD REVIEWS
» INTERVIEWS
» LIVE REVIEWS
» SPECIALS
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MEDEA - ROOM XVII - ROCK OPERA SPECIAL
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If you like the concept of a rock opera, based on historic facts, you should check out Medea's new CD "Room XVII". This project of Casual Silence keyboardist Henry Meeuws tells the story of a schizophrenic man, who is in the present (well, 1912...) secretly listening to a piano student in a forgotten chamber of an old trade center, and it triggers him to slip into his other personality Jeurian, who sailed on the V.O.C. ship the Batavia as a cadet back in 1628. The story mixes facts and fiction with two themes: schizophrenia and an important part of the Dutch history, the V.O.C. That is the Dutch abbreviation for the United East India Company, who established a monopoly on the spice trade with Indonesia. For that they had to keep non-V.O.C. traders out and killing wasn't shunned. They became the biggest company of its kind, trading spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper and other products like tea, silk, porcelain etc.
The CD is a captivating piece of work and in this special, based on the info provided by Rock Inc, you can read a little bit of history on Medea and a lot of info on "Room XVII" - incl. the cast and the lyrics that tell the story. Enjoy!
MEDEA
Medea is the solo project and brainchild from the keyboard player
of Casual Silence: Henry Meeuws. The 6th of January 2006 will be the release
date of the second solo album of Medea: "Room XVII" - A new Dutch rock opera!
In this concept where past and present, fiction and
non-fiction are closely interwoven, the themes of
schizophrenia and the Dutch history of the V.O.C.,
especially the voyage of the Batavia, take a central
place.
ROOM XVII
The story is set in Amsterdam during the winter of
1912 and will be told through the eyes of the witness
Jan Pieterszoon Coen; A schizophrenic man (Conrad)
is hiding in a forgotten chamber (room XVII) of an old
theater. In the period of the V.O.C. it had the position
of an important trade-center. From that room the man
can secretly witness the music lessons of a young
pianist. It's just her beautiful music that leads him all
over again in his second personality; Jeurian.
In 1628 he sailed as a cadet with the Batavia to the
East, and in that way he had taken part in the
dramatic events of this V.O.C. ship.
Then on a certain day the theater becomes in danger
of closing, because the music teacher has other plans
with the building. The piano lessons cannot be
continued and that drives the man to despair. It leads
him in a situation of chaos…
HENRY MEEUWS
Henry's musical roots go all the way back to 1989,
when Meeuws was guitarist of the melodic metal band
Yarreth, with which they released three demos; "The
Outcast" (1989), "Two Sides" (1992) and "Out Of The
Daydream" (1997). In 1998 he went solo with his
Medea project. Meanwhile he also recorded a solo
album with classical pieces on the acoustic guitar
(1999). But after some time a ticklish feeling was
rising and he wanted to stand on the stage again and
play for a live audience.
In September 2000 he found his musical challenge as
a keyboard player and so he joined the Dutch
progressive symphonic rock band Casual Silence.
He quickly had an important part in writing and
composing their music. At the beginning of 2003 he
recorded with Casual Silence their successful album
"Once In A Blue Moon". Nearly at the same time his
first full length solo album under the name Medea
and the album “Individual Unique” was released by
Red Sea Records. This album was also a rock opera
about the life and works of Michelangelo. Henry
played all the instruments himself and he made use of
9 guest vocalists, among which were 3 of his fellow
members of Casual Silence. The album got
praiseworthy reviews ("vette krent" in the iO Pages).
With "Room XVII" Henry has accepted the challenge
to surpass this sublime album in all of its aspects.
He has recently signed a record deal with Snakebite
Records and again he engaged an impressive cast of
musicians for the release, such as for instance Rob
Laarhoven (Casual Silence), Joss Mennen
(Mennen), Edwin Balogh (Ayreon, Supersonic),
Robbie van Stiphout (Day Six) and Sandra Peeters
(V-Male). In addition there will be a unique co-operation
with the male choir Lambardi on this
album. And Fon Janssen (Mennen, Project
Fear) took charge of all the drums. With these
musical ingredients "Room XVII" promises to become
a great, varied and bombastic rock opera!
THE CAST
Present: (1912)
Eyewitness: MAURICE FENDE (Jesus Christ Superstar)
as "Jan Pieterszoon Coen", the storyteller
Conrad: ERNST LE COCQ D "ARMANDVILLE (Casual Silence)
as the schizofrenic man in the room
Past (1628)
Commodore: JOSS MENNEN (Mennen)
as "Francisco Pelsaert", the commodore of the V.O.C. ship the "Batavia"
Jeurian: ROB LAARHOVEN (Casual Silence)
as "Jeurian Jansz", the 2nd personality as one of the cadets on the ship
Lavinia: SANDRA PEETERS (V-Male)
as "Lavinia Jansz", the wife of Jeurian
Soul: NANDA PHILIPSE
as the imaginairy inner voice in mind
Jeronimus: EDWIN BALOGH (Ayrean, Tamas)
as "Jeronimus Cornelisz", the leader of the mutineers
The choirs
Cadets: ERIC SMITS (Casual Silence), ROBBIE VAN STIPHOUT (Day Six) & DIRK VAN HELMOND (Queen Of Hearts) as the cadets on the ship
Mutineers: ERIC SMITS (Casual Silence), ROBBIE VAN STIPHOUT (Day Six) & DIRK VAN HELMOND (Queen Of Hearts) as the mutineers on the Albrolhos Islands
Saleswomen: MARJOLEIN HÜSKEN (Sylver Myst), SANDRA PEETERS (V-Male) & NANDA PHILIPSE as the representatives from the trade relations in the East
Jury: MEN'S CHOIR "LAMBARDI"
as the jurors who pass judgement on the deeds of Jeurian
FOREWORD
Amsterdam, Winter 1912
“Maybe not by coincidence that it was me, who would be the
only eyewitness in this room. Disconnected in an old wing
which used to be a part of this theatre, here at the Old High
Street in Amsterdam. People were afraid it would have come
down. This room, this dark, mysterious room, now left and
forgotten. But in the early years, the 17th and 18th century, so
important by its position as the first trade centre. We called it
the East Indonesian House and it was especially built for,
and finally a valuable property of my company, the V.O.C.
The Company that united Europe, Asia and later also
America. The founder of economy. The foundation for many
sailors' stories and ship replicas in several important cities
all over the world.
One of these stories lies here inside, in this old room where
past, present, passion and chaos unite in a tragic lifeline of a
man who’s just listening to relive his memories.
And if you listen well, you can still hear the piano play…”
Jan Pieterszoon Coen
1. “ROOM XVII”
Eyewitness:
Welcome and hear
Let me tell you about this old theatre
Come, walk with me
Then I’ll guide you to a forgotten chamber
Keys are lost and all the doors stay closed
The fear rules for the danger of falling in
Inside this room
Decorated with Rembrandt’s portraits
Lies, questions rise
Find the answers hidden in this chaos
Left behind by ‘Lords of Seventeen’
And will they ever meet again at night?
Eyes, cold as ice
Proudly staring through the dust of twilight
See what I see
Shiver by a silhouette that came in
Sight, a man in fear, he’s bowing down
With hands brushing his hair colouring red
Blood on his hands
Makes him guilty for a crime committed
Sweat on his head
Falling down like rain along his body
Can you tell me what this man endured
A devastated mind confusion
Forgotten chamber is hiding a story
Of a man and his lifeline, it lies here inside
The past and present united in one’s memory
The story unfolds now in this room seventeen
Soul:
A minds confusion, a disillusion
Of a man and his lifeline, it lies here inside
Won’t find the answer created by the music
The key of a memory will be lost now
Eyewitness:
Forgotten chamber is hiding a story
Of a man and his lifeline, it lies here inside
The past and present united in one’s memory
The story unfolds now in this room
Soul:
Forgotten chamber is hiding a story
A man and his lifeline, it lies here inside
The past and present, forever united
The story unfolds now in this room seventeen
2. “FAREWELL?”
Texel, October 28th, 1628
Jeurian:
Close your eyes
And keep the memory
The reason why
You know we’ll get better in time
It’s just a temporary need
My choice is not a choice
Lavinia:
Close your eyes
And keep the memory
The reason why
You know I’ll be waiting for you
Until the end of time will come
Please hold me in your arms
Jeurian:
Now here I stand
The coast leaving behind
“How will it end?”
It keeps on running through my mind
To take a forward step
I never realised
Both:
How deep the flood was around me
Should I say farewell?
3. “ENDLESS KNOT” (Instrumental)
Lavinia:
“Wait…
Please, would you take this with you on your journey?
I ask you to wear it on your chest
Keep it in mind as a symbol of our love through eternity
Then…l wish you all the best”
4. “MAIDEN JOURNEY”
Cadets:
One man airs the cabins, one man scrubs the deck and
One relieves the watch and be aware for mutiny in furtive
One meal after praying, one of groats and raisins
One meal beans with butter, there may be some leftovers for a last meal
One day storm is coming, one day sun will rise
The heat is unbearable, one day I will realise forever
Commodore:
One day I will sail
Sail with me over sea to far horizons
Try to defy storm and heat, don’t leave in silence now
Jeurian:
Try to find
My hammock is hanging in darkness here
Before the mast
The hold of the ship will be ours
Sleep, can’t sleep near beside of my fellows
Cadets:
Oppressing me
Jeurian:
Breathe, I’m leaving my breath here inside
It’s killing me softly now
Can you feel?
My body is aching this coldest night
Can’t you stand?
The tropical heat during day
Long, I’m longing for water so cold and fresh
Cadets:
please drink with me
Jeurian:
Food, a poison that hurts in the flesh
It’s killing me softly now
Cadets:
One man airs the cabins, one man scrubs the deck and
One relieves the watch and be aware for mutiny in furtive
One meal after praying, one of groats and raisins
One meal beans with butter, there may be some leftovers for a last meal
One day storm is coming, one day sun will rise
The heat is unbearable, one day I will realise forever
Commodore:
One day I will sail
Sail with me over sea to far horizons
Try to defy storm and heat, don’t leave in silence
All:
Sail with me over sea to far horizons
Turn, turn the waves avoid the graves, don’t leave in silence
Sail with me over sea to far horizons
Try to defy without lies, don’t leave in silence and
Trade to the East with me
5. “MY DUAL MIND”
Conrad:
I shall lay my ear to the wall of this old room that was
always disconnected by them, the Lords of Seventeen
Day by day I come to this place, a little smile on my face
As long as nobody knows my hidden room here belongs
To the young lady, she plays on her piano and stays
In all her ignorance, leading me in my dual mind
Then, I’m loosing contact with ground, when listening to the sound
That leads me into a world of never being a lonesome
Man that I ever was will disappear by the first
Notes she’s playing, while leading me in my dual mind
I, I will ever return
To desires that burn
In the rooms of my heart feels empty
I won’t give up and I try
Long before that I die
We’ll unite in my dark divided mind
Conrad & Jeurian:
Hear the music play the game
Overture without a name
It’s leading me in my dual mind
Reaching all the world in trance
Following the epic dance
She leads me to…
Conrad:
Every time you reach out your hand to touch the key with a blend
Of pianissimo and a kind of passion, I wait until I enter my quest
With all the moments that passed
To see my lady again in a beautiful land
So please,
Don’t leave me here all alone, cause every time you are gone
I feel afraid to be left and ask myself if you won’t or
Will return to my greed and let me hear what I need
To end my journey inside my divided mind
Tell me will I ever return
To all desires that burn
Show me will I ever return
My desire burns
Conrad & Jeurian:
Hear the music play the game
Overture without a name
It’s leading me in my dual mind
Reaching all the world in trance
Following the epic dance
She leads me to…
Leading in my dual…mind
6. “DANCE OF THE DEALS”
Commodore:
Parts of the world, we will combine
Saleswomen:
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
For the range of the silk
For the barter in spice
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
I would take it for once
Would you take it for twice
Commodore:
Dance, come dance with me
We try to find commodity for more
We know we risk a war
But it won’t matter anymore and that’s sure
Horizons fade, there where we trade
Saleswomen:
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
For the range of the silk
For the barter in spice
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
I would take it for once
Would you take it for twice
Commodore:
Dance, come dance with me
We try to find commodity for more
We know we risk a war
But it won’t matter anymore, that’s so sure
Eyewitness & cadets:
As the wind will blow let the current flow
Gold is in your eyes, would you be surprised
Would you be so kind to leave all behind
Would you risk a war, would you go so far
To the victory, to monopoly
In commodity with variety
Commodore & cadets:
As the wind will blow let the current flow
Gold is in my eyes, I won’t be surprised
I will be so kind to leave all behind
I ‘ll risk a war, I will go so far
To the victory, to monopoly
In commodity with variety
Let me take the East, let me take the South
Let me take the West, let me take the world
Saleswomen:
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
For the range of the silk
For the barter in spice
Show me textile, gold, silver and wine
I would take it for once
Would you take it for twice
7. “GRAVEYARD ISLAND”
Commodore:
My skipper saw a shimmering of light
Jeronimus:
How can he see in deepest of dark nights
Commodore:
He thought to see reflections of the moon
Jeronimus:
You fool, you’re wrong, you’ll pay for it as soon…
Pain… as the fear runs through your veins
Both:
We ran aground, is this the tragic end?
The maiden journey couldn’t reach the land
Jeronimus:
The mutiny, now waiting for the dead
The island’s slowly turning into red
Pain… as the fear runs through your veins
Jeurian:
It won’t justify your fight
Jeronimus:
Fight… without reason without pride
Jeurian:
For the fear I try to hide
Mutineers:
Bad reign of terror leads through the head
Know where I stand in command of the treason
Give me the smallest excuse for the dead
Feed me with orders to kill without reason
Fighting your own war to stay alive
And save your breath with violence
Don’t swim against
Fit in the plan
Don’t swim against the current, the current
Jeurian:
Can you tell me what to do
My choice is not a choice
Jeronimus:
So leave your conscience
Take my orders in
Both:
Preservation of your own life
Jeronimus:
Pain… as the fear runs through your veins
Jeurian:
It won’t justify your fight
Jeronimus:
Fight… without reason without pride
Jeurian:
For the fear I try to hide
8. “STATE OF SUSPENSE”
Jeurian:
Reflecting on my life, surrounded by the stones
I’m waiting for my time, the cold runs through my bones
There’s nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nowhere to go
Both:
Embrace a thinner line of hope
Lavinia:
Another day has died, can someone ease my pain?
I’m counting tears I’ve cried, I’m crying all in vain
There’s no one to hold
No one to touch
Nothing to share
Both:
I walk a thin line of despair
Jury:
Take his life, bring him down, hang him on
Jeurian:
My fate will be done
Jury:
A branch of a tree near to the sea, what if we
Don’t believe words to speak, no one cares
Jeurian:
My pride won’t be gone
Jury:
A life to be torn, no one to warn, what if we…
Commodore:
The sands of time are running so low
Can’t justify your deeds
I can leave you in a state of suspense
Or should I leave you to their greed?
Lavinia:
A new life has begun, thank God he gave so much
In emptiness he’s born, yearning for your touch
So give me a sign
Show me the line
Keep it in mind
Both:
To be a father for my son
Jeurian:
The guards will march me out the courtyard comes in sight
My soul is crying loud with angels on my right
They’re making me strong
Prove to be wrong
Fate will be done
I’ll be a father for my son
Lavinia:
You’ll be a father for my son
Jury:
Take his life, bring him down, hang him on
Jeurian:
My fate will be done
Jury:
A branch of a tree near to the sea, what if we
Don’t believe words to speak, no one cares
Jeurian:
My pride won’t be gone
Jury:
A life to be torn, no one to warn, what if we…
Commodore:
The sands of time are running so low
Can’t justify your deeds
I can leave you in a state of suspense
Or should I leave you to their greed ?
9.“CHAOS SOLUTION”
Part I: The Closure
Eyewitness:
Now the time has come for the end of a long
Secret story that lies here inside
A forgotten tale must give way to a new
Change in history lines of this room
The teacher prepares for the closure
The student will never return
Part II: The Missing
Conrad:
Back in my room, emptiness in my mind
Fears of silence scream in my ears
Waiting for you now, waiting for somehow
Don’t leave me here without your company
Don’t close doors to my dual mind
I’m missing you now, missing you somehow
Eyewitness & Soul:
When the fear is running through your veins
Confusion comes to play her game
Always someone to pay for all
So let the teacher fall
The chaos in mind couldn’t set you free
The fury makes blind for your dignity
Conrad:
No need for words, what do they mean to me
In words I won’t find my self here
Won’t feed me reasons, don’t change my seasons
Restless hands of time, ticking away
Fate draws near to embrace my deed
Pain ’s growing stronger, my will stands no longer
Eyewitness & Soul:
When the fear is running through your veins
Confusion comes to play her game
Always someone to pay for all
So let the teacher fall
The chaos in mind couldn’t set you free
The fury makes blind for your dignity
Part III: Chaos (instrumental)
Part IV: Solution
Conrad:
Why, see what I’ve done
See this man drowned in my own blood
Try to understand it
‘Cause how should I know that before
I just saw his "Endless Knot"
Cry for this man, try to understand
Why in my own blood, with my Endless Knot
www.medeamusic.nl
www.casualsilence.nl
www.v-male.nl
www.mennen.net
www.sylvermyst.nl
www.nanda-music.nl
www.day-six.com
www.queenofhearts.tk
www.ayreon.com
www.rockinc.nl
submitted by Marlies 07.01.2006
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