Giya Kancheli: Imber
21 - 23 August 2003
Imber Village, Salisbury Plain
View from the village church
The former village of Imber lies at the heart of Salisbury Plain, in a remote location six miles from the nearest town.
Sixty years ago, all 160 Imber villagers were evacuated to make way for the training needs of US soldiers. Following World War II, the villagers' hopes of returning to their homes faded despite public protest and an official inquiry that decided in favour of the Army. The continuing national need for military practice meant that the former residents could return once a year for a special service in the tiny 14th century Church of St Giles, which still remains under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Salisbury and was recently Grade 1 listed by English Heritage.
For three nights over an August Bank Holiday, Imber finally laid its past to rest – the result of a three year-long project commissioned by Artangel with the support of the British Army and the Diocese of Salisbury. Transformed by a special promenade event created for the village, the evening in Imber culminated with the live performance of a new work by leading international composer, Giya Kancheli. Featuring the Georgian Rustavi male voice choir, a single chorister from the Salisbury Cathedral Boys Choir and the Matrix Ensemble under the musical direction of Nika Memanishvili, Kancheli's score was inspired by a visit to Imber in 2001.
Imber was conceived by Artangel, Jeremy Herbert and James Macdonald and was realised by Jeremy Herbert. See links on right for further info.
The story of Imber was also subsequently broadcast to BBC4 viewers on Monday 10 May 2004. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mark Kidel, Imber: England's Lost Village was an Artangel Media production in association with CTVC. It looked back at Imber's unusual history and how it formed the inspiration for Kancheli's moving score. The film combined testimonies from surviving villagers, conversations with Kancheli in his native Tbilisi and archive footage from Imber's past and present. Kancheli's evocative music is woven throughout the film, culminating with its live performance in the ancient church of St Giles in August 2003.
This project was supported by Arts Council England, Special Angels and The Company of Angels
