(Photo: Jan Windszus Photography) Ever since its premiere in 1742, George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah” has been considered a work of vocal and intellectual power. All the more so when it is performed in an airport hangar, with over 350 choir members, dramatically staged, on a stage over 180 feet wide. The Komische Oper Berlin hashtags #everything extraordinary – in large {…}
The Komische Oper has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the operatic performances. Premieres George Petrou conducts Händel’s “Messiah” with Damiano Michieletto directing. The soloists will include Penny Sofroniadou, Julia Grüter, Rachael Wilson, Katharina Bradić, Julien Behr, Rupert Charlesworth, Philipp Meierhöfer, and Tijl Faveyts. Performance Dates: Sept. 21-Oct. 6, 2024 Franz Wittenbrink’s kinderoper “Die kleine Hexe” will {…}
Berlin’s opera houses and orchestras have released statement against anti-semitism in reaction to current events and in commemoration of tomorrow’s 85th anniversary of the November pogroms in Germany. It also calls for peaceful co-existence. The statement reads, “Berlin’s major orchestras and three opera houses call on all Berliners to take a stand against anti-Semitism and hatred. Even in turbulent times, {…}
(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) Thomas‘ “Hamlet” is not listed under the genre Grand Opéra without reason. It features opulent music, a large chorus, a sturdy length (a good three hours plus intermission), and the need for truly excellent leading actors. The Komische Oper Berlin, together with the team of conductor Marie Jacquot and stage director Nadja Loschky, took up this challenge. {…}
The Komische Oper Berlin has announced its 2023-24 season. The season kicks off with Henze’s “Das Floß der Medusa.” Titus Engel conducts a production by Tobias Kratzer. It will star Gloria Rehm and Günter Papendell. Performance Dates: Sept. 16 – 30, 2023 Next up is the children’s opera “Nils Holgerssons Wundersame Abenteuer” by Elena Kats-Chernin. Erina Yashima conducts a production {…}
(Credit: barbaraaumueller) On April 30, 2023, Oper Frankfurt and Komische Oper Berlin will co-present the Frankfurt premiere of Handel’s “Hercules.” First premiering in January 1745, the oratorio was met with mixed reception further complicated by a run cut short due to illness within the cast. Modern musicologists have recognized Handel’s endeavor towards a new sound through the blend of opera {…}
Komische Oper Berlin has announced an upcoming production of Hans Werner Henze’s oratorio, “The Raft of the Medusa,” to be held at a hangar in the former Templehof Airport. The unconventional choice in staging comes as the company’s current home undergoes renovations over the next six years, with the company making Schiller Theater a temporary venue, along with other locations {…}
Susanne Moser was named the new chair of the Operkonferenz last weekend. Moser, who is the co-artistic director and managing director of the Komische Oper Berlin, will take over for Bernd Loebe of the Frankfurt Opera, who held the position since 2010. “I am very pleased about the election to chair the German-speaking Opera Conference and thank you for your {…}
The Komische Oper Berlin has unveiled its 2022-23 season. New Productions The season kicks off with “Intoleranza 1960” with Sean Panikkar, Gloria Rehm, Deniz Uzun, Tom erik Lie, Joseine Mindus, and Ilse Ritter. Gabriel Feltz conducts a production designed by Marco Storman. Performance Dates: Sept. 23 – Oct. 3, 2022 “Pippi Langstrumpf” will be headlined by Devi-Ananda Dahm, Maria-Danaé Bansen, {…}
The Komische Oper Berlin has announced the appointment of James Gaffigan as Music Director for the beginning of the 2023-24 season. His new contract will run through the summer of 2027. Gaffigan is a renowned conductor who has worked with such organizations as the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Munich Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Dresden, {…}
(Credit: ©Barbara Anmüller) “Comedy today, tragedy tomorrow.” American soprano Sydney Mancasola uttered these words before going to the stage at the Adelaide Festival on March 13 2020, in the role of Bess in opera “Breaking the Waves.” The opera had a second performance on March 15, and at that time the coronavirus pandemic already begun its deadly march across Europe {…}