Smells of Cinnamon is a dance performance inspired by Solomon's Song of Songs, a poetic and intriguing poem from the Bible that offers unlimited associations and room for interpretation. Arvo Pert, Lepo Sumera, Mart-Matis Lill and Erkki-Sven, composers from Estonia, composed music that is performed live on stage, so the performance can also be defined as a dance concert.
On my bed at night I looked for the one whom my soul loves, I looked for him, but I did not find him. Now I will get up, and I will go through the city, through the squares and through the streets, I will look for the one whom my soul loves. I looked for him, but I didn't find him. I was found by the guards, who are going around the city. Do you see the one whom my soul loves? I left a little, and I found the one whom my soul loves; and I caught him, and I will not let him go until I have brought him to my mother's house and to the dungeon of my parents. I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, doe and hinds of the field, do not wake my Love, do not wake her, until she pleases. Who is she who goes up from the desert like pillars of smoke, incensed with myrrh and frankincense and all kinds of apothecary powder. Behold the bier of Solomon, and around it sixty heroes among the heroes of Israel: They all have swords, they are skilful in battle, each has a sword on his thigh for fear of the night. King Soyomun made a bier for himself from the wood of Lebanon; He made its pillars of silver, its capitals of gold, its sky of scherite, and inside it was lined with turbans for the daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, daughters of Zion, and weep for King Solomon under the crown with which his mother adorned him on the day of his marriage and on the day of the joy of his heart.
Song of songs. excerpt
