Annelies Van Parys originally wrote her Medea in 2021, a commission from the Wonderfeel festival, for soprano, clarinet and string quartet; here it is rearranged for soprano, organ and string quartet. The challenge in this re-instrumentation lay principally in the replacement of the clarinet, as it launched and set the tone of Medea's 15-minute monodrama with a sensitive lullaby – a mood is very different from the usual depiction of Medea as a vengeful sorceress and brutal child murderess. The work also integrates an increasing focus on the female perspective that is very much lacking in male-oriented Greek myths. Van Parys's drama ends with the same lullaby and portrays Medea as a loving mother who wants to protect her children from their humiliating future, having been disowned by Jason, Medea's former husband. It is not revenge that reigns supreme In the harsh exclamations, penetrating multiphonics, harrowing strings and strikingly lyrical passages that Van Parys uses in this extended lamentation, but Medea's doubt and despair; the music portrays her not as a vengeful ex-wife but as a loving mother who, despite her grief, does what she thinks is best for her children.

Bauwien van der Meer (soprano) is a much sought-after oratorio and opera soloist. Bauwien studied at the Royal Conservatory with Sasja Hunnego. She obtained her Master's degree at the New Opera Academy. She has worked with renowned pianists and conductors such as Ed Spanjaard, Richard Egarr, Etienne Siebens and Lucas Vis. She has worked with composers such as Annelies van Parys, Richard Ayres (leading role The Cricket Recovers), Lucas Wiegerink and Louis Andriessen.

Van der Meer is currently working on her self-initiated project From dark to light about unknown masterpieces by composers and a number of commissions for the special instrumentation of harp, organ, string quartet and soprano. Works by Lili Boulanger, Elisabeth Kuyper, Elisabeth Maconchy, Monique Krüs, Ig Henneman and Annelies van Parys. The performers are: Bauwien van der Meer, soprano, Doriene Marselje, harp, Het Helikon Quartet, string quartet and Gerrie Meijers, organ.