Received in the mail this morning : program book for 'Münchhausen' by Jan Masanetz in Hannover

This Monday morning, I have received in the mail the program book published by the Staatstheater Hannover for the world première of Münchhausen, children opera composed by Jan Masanetz, first performed on May 8th.

It is a 32 pages brochure, with several questions children (and adults !) might have while watching the show and answering them. It contains :

- complete cast and crew (who is involved ?) ;
- synopsis (what happens in the opera ?) ;
- an article on the real Hieronymus Carl Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen ;
- how do you make fire on stage ?
- where does the snow come from ? is it real ?
- how do you direct penguins ?
- the moon princess has glowing hair. How does it work ?
- biographies of composer Jan Masanetz and librettist Klaus Angermann ;
- several color pictures and drawings.

It is entirely in German.

May 8th, 2015 : world première of 'Münchhausen' by Jan Masanetz in Hannover

Today, the first opera composed by Jan Masanetz, Münchhausen, with a libretto by Klaus Angermann, will be performed in Hannover.

This children opera, commissioned by the Staatsoper Hannover, will be performed in Ballhof Eins.

Should anyone lie ? Where is the line between truth and falsehood ? Is lie the opposite of reality or is it not sometimes a new reality ? Sometimes, it is really difficult to separate truth from falsehood, and now and then the fiction is far more exciting than the everyday reality. Baron von Münchhausen, also known as the 'Lying Baron', born in the nearby village of Bodenwerder an der Weser, is always the best, when it comes to inventing the most outrageous stories one wants to have experienced oneself. Of course, it has little to do with his real life, but his richly illustrated tales are so entertaining that noone would blame him for his jokes. He travels inside a volcano, through the center of the earth, to the South Pole, sails on treacherous seas, or flies to the moon where he encounters the strangest creatures looking for his dream Princess. (personal translation of the opera house's website)

The cast includes baritone Byung Kweon Jun (Münchhausen), baritone Michael Checewicz (the Baron's servant), mezzo Marie-Sandre Papenmeyer (the Mother), Martin Busen, Jeong-Min Nam and Eunhye Choi (three Agents / three Fantastic Creatures). They are accompanied by the Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester Hannover conducted by Siegmund Weinmeister. Beverly Blankenship directs this new opera, with sets designed by Antonella Mazza and costumes by Elvira Freind.