Received this morning : programme book for Thomas Morse's 'Frau Schindler' in Munich

This Wednesday morning, I have received in the mail the programme book published by the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich for the world première of Thomas Morse's Frau Schindler.

It is a 48 pages brochure. It contains :

- complete cast ;
- the synopsis ;
- Eine fast vergessene Geschichte (An almost forgotten story), by Daniel C. Schindler ;
- Zeittafel (Time table) ;
- Die unbesungene Heldin (The unsung heroine), by Erika Rosenberg-Band ;
- In Schindlers Schatten (In Schindler's shadow), by Emilie Schindler ;

- Der "gute Nazi" ? (The "good Nazi" ?), by Tomáš Kraus ;

- biographies of composer Thomas Morse and librettist Kenneth Cazan ;

- Eine einmalige Chance (A Unique opportunity), interview of composer by dramaturgist Daniel C. Schindler ;

- Von Pamina bis Frau Schindler, Opernheldinnen im Wandel der Zeit (From Pamina to Frau Schindler, opera heroines through the ages) by Daniel C. Schindler ;

- Der Neo-Nationalismus ist da (Neo nationalism is there), by Wolfram Weimer ;

- biographies of the singers with color headshots ;

- numerous color photos of rehearsals.

The programme book in entirely in German. The synopsis is bilingual, in German and English.

The scanned covers of all programme books of contemporary operas I have are in this flickr folder.

Today : world première of Thomas Morse's 'Frau Schindler' in Munich

Today, the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich presents the world première of Thomas Morse's opera Frau Schindler, with a libretto by Kenneth Cazan and the composer.

© Christian POGO Zach

It is the composer's first opera. The performance will take place at the Reithalle.

As an ordinary couple who became increasingly immersed in extraordinary circumstances, Emilie and Oskar Schindler found themselves faced with the ultimate moral decision. Told from Emilie Schindler’s perspective, Frau Schindler examines how two living, breathing human beings who essentially endure the same daily wartime experiences can see them from two very different points of view. It is the story of a woman’s survival and heroism in the heart of one of the darkest periods in human history. The story from her perspective provides a window into the psychology of the times — how step by step, an advanced society was slowly seduced into the unthinkable. (reproduced from the Music Sales Classical website)

The cast includes mezzo Katerina Hebelková (Emilie Schindler), baritone Mathias Hausmann (Oskar Schindler), soprano Jennifer O'Loughlin (Marthe Marker), soprano  Elaine Ortiz Arandes (Frau von Daubek) and tenor  Juan Carlos Falcón (Adolf Grünhalt). Andreas Kowalewitz conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz. Kenneth Cazan directs.

The required orchestra is the following (according the Music Sales website) :

- 1 flute (doubling piccolo), 1 oboe (doubling English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), 1 bassoon (doubling contrabasson) ;
- 3 trumpets ;
- 2 percussions ;
- celesta, harp, piano ;
- strings.

The performance should last 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.