INDONESIA • GAMBUH

Recorded in the temple of Kedisan (Bali), this CD displays for the first time a full episode of gambuh. Gambuh is a real opera, played, sung and danced. It is considered by the Balinese as the ancestor of all their dramatic, choreographic and musical forms since the 16th century. The originality of this court art, which became lately a religious performance, relies on its orchestral accompaniement which blends the soft and haunting sounds of long suling flutes with those of a whole set of percussions. This musical drama is performed in its most archaic version by a group of peasants from Kedisan village who are also singers, dancers and musicians. Following the old tradition, all the characters, including female parts, are performed by men.