Kasteel Groeneveld

Roberto Paci Dalò creates a “musical dinner” at the Groeneveld Forum in 2008, an international artistic meeting held annually at the Groeneveld Castle in Baarn, the Netherlands. Dinner dishes are served according to their color and in different areas of the castle. The red, black, green and white of the food are the counterbalance to the live electronics of Roberto Paci Dalò and the a cappella songs of a quartet of the Koninklijk Conservatorium.

The four colours of the menu are a metaphor for a rich musical programme. With Roberto Paci Dalò he performs live electronics with Dragan Klaic. In addition, four singers: Michal Bitain soprano; Kaspar Kröner counter-tenor; Ban Eastely tenor; Maurits Draijer bass (all students of the Koninklijk Conservatorium) perform in a cappella singing by John Dowland (1563-1626).
All of this seals the wonderful spaces of the castle of Groeneland, rural enclave and town at the same time and
outpost of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture.
Roberto Paci’s project rethinks art and music in relation to food and the primary sector, from agriculture to farming.

Food, music

The cook Michiel Beltman elaborates the imaginative and healthy dishes of the dinner, maintaining the distinction of color from the raw materials. Even the drinks, served as an accompaniment to the dishes, respect the classification of colors. It is an opportunity, as often happens in Groeneveld, to stimulate discussion about local food and culinary health in the wide sense.

 

The castle of Groeneveld

The castle of Groeneveld is in fact a place where you can experience the “Good life style”, emphasizing in particular the worlds of nature, arts and good food.
The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture uses this place as an example of an “enclave between town and country” in the debate on the reconfiguration of the territory, both rural and urban, due to new economic flows.
Groeneveld Forum of 2008, specifically, associates this reflection with the immense potential of the arts in the development of more ethical environmental policies.

Groeneveld Castle has always been connected to life in the open air. Traditionally it represented a green island for Amsterdam residents fleeing the summer heat of the city.
Famous were the guests who took turns there, among which many famous artists marked the life of the building.
The estate is characterized by elements in French and English style, beautiful stuccoes characterize the interior. There are many “hidden treasures” such as the Ice Cellar and the Garden of Snakes.
The original kitchen has been restored to its former glory thanks to the latest restoration.
The garden has various rare arboreal species such as red beech.
The castle is part of the heritage of the Staatsbosbeheer, a Dutch governmental organisation founded in 1899 that promotes forestry and the ethical management of nature reserves. Every cultural or industrial heritage managed by Staatsbosbeheer is closely linked to the landscape in which it is located: all heritage sites bear witness to a special combination of nature and culture. In line with this, meetings and exhibitions are organised in which the building and its surroundings intertwine.

Credits

Project by
Roberto Paci Dalò

Musics, live electronics
Roberto Paci Dalò
Dragan Klaic

Chef 
Michiel Beltman

Vocal ensamble
Michal Bitain soprano
Kaspar Kröner contro-tenore
Ban Eastely tenore
Maurits Draijer basso

Students of
Koninklijk Conservatorium

 

Production
Groeneveld Forum 2008

Venue
Kasteel Groeneveld Baarn
Groeneveld 2
3744 ML Baarn