De Singel
Sibyl
With William Kentridge
12/12/2026 – 13/12/2026
The longing to know what the future will bring is timeless. Even in ancient times, people visited sibyls, prophetesses who could predict the future. This did not always go as hoped: if you asked the sibyl of Cumae a question, she would write the answer on an oak leaf and place it on a pile. When you went to read that leaf, the wind would scatter the entire pile. Your fate was known, but which one was yours remained a mystery.
Inspired by this tale, renowned South African artist William Kentridge created Waiting for the Sibyl, a unique chamber opera with live music by composers Nhlanhla Mahlangu and Kyle Shepherd. With projections, shadows, and movements, nine performers explore the story of the sibyl and what it tells us about our relationship with fate, the future, and uncertainty. The performance begins with The Moment Has Gone – a short film featuring live music – showing Kentridge creating his animated film City Deep.
