Today : world première of 'Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver' by Elena Kats-Chernin in Berlin

Today, the Komische Oper Berlin presents the world première of Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer (Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver), a children's opera in two acts composed by Elena Kats-Chernin with a libretto in German by Susanne Felicitas Wolf based on Michael Ende's book.

Elena Kats-Chernin has already composed several operas for children, including Schneewittchen und die 77 Zwerge (Berlin, Komische Oper, November 1, 2015).

Because the island of Morrowland with its two mountains has become too small for its four inhabitants (including the king), Luke and the orphan Jim are forced to venture into the outside world. On their marvelous journey they discover foreign lands, overcome many dangers, and rescue Princess Li Si from the clutches of the terrible dragon woman, Mrs. Grindtooth. After gathering many new experiences, they return together to their homeland, bringing with them a new, floating island in tow. (reproduced from the Komische Oper Berlin website)

The cast includes soprano Georgina Melville (Jim Knopf), bass Philipp Meierhöfer (Lukas), baritone Dominik Köninger (King Alfred the Quarter-to-Twelfth / Nepomuk / Big Wig Pi Pa Po) and mezzo Christiane Oertel (Mrs. Waas / Mrs. Grindtooth). Ivo Hentschel conducts the Orchestra and Children Chorus of the Komische Oper. Christian von Götz directs.

Two new programme books in my collection : Eggert and Holten

I have recently received two programme books for two new operas :

- Moritz Eggert : M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder, Berlin (Komische Oper), May 5, 2019 ;
- Bo Holten : Schlagt sie tot !, Malmö, May 11, 2019.

The first one is a 40 pages book. It contains :

- characters and orchestral setting ;
- synopsis ;
- Ulrich Lenz : 90 Minuten Achterbahnfahrt, dialogue with director Barrie Kosky and composer Moritz Eggert ;
- Ulrich Lenz : Und mit mir rennen die Gespenster, Psychogramm eines (vermeintlichen ?) Mörders ;
- synopsis in English, French and Turkish ;
- several colour photos of the piano dress rehearsal (April 25).

There is a separate 6 pages leaflet with the complete cast and crew for the first performance.

The book is entirely in German.

The second one is a 66 pages book. It contains :

- complete cast and crew ;
- Catarina Ek : En värld i förändring (A Changing World) ;
- Persongalleri : short biographies of historical characters with their portraits and headshots of singers playing their roles (Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, Georg Spalatin, Lucas Cranach, Erasmus, among others) ;
- detailed synopsis ;
- Eva Sommestad Holten : Förändringens eld - Tankar bakom texten till 'Schlagt sie tot !' (Fire of Change - Thoughts behind the text of 'Schlagt sie tot !') ;
- Bo Holten : Om musiken i 'Schlagt sie tot !' (About the music of 'Schlagt sie tot !') ;
- Eva Sommestad Holten : Luthers värld - En översikt (Luther's world - an overview) ;
- Eva Sommestad Holten : Musiken som Guds verktyg (Music as God's instrument) ;
- Arne Järtelius : Luther som antisemit (Luther as antisemit) ;
- Arne Järtelius : 500 år med Luther i Sverige (500 years with Luther in Sweden) ;
- biographies of artists with black and white headshots ;
- synopsis in English ;
- several colour photos of rehearsals.

The book is entirely in Swedish.

I now have 680 programme books for contemporary operas in my collection. I have scanned the covers and uploaded the images to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'M' by Moritz Eggert in Berlin

Today, the Komische Oper in Berlin presents the world première of M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (M - A City searches for a Murderer), an opera in one act composed by Moritz Eggert with a libretto by Barrie Kosky and Ulrich Lenz based on Fritz Lang's film and using poems by Walter Mehring.

Moritz Eggert has already composed several works the stage, including All diese Tage (Bremen, April 28, 2012), Terra Nova (Linz, May 26, 2016) and Caliban (Amsterdam, March 25, 2017).

The city is up in arms! A serial murderer is on the loose. Several girls have already been found dead. Under great pressure and using all the means at their disposal, the police search for the culprit. And the city’s criminals are also keeping busy, as the increased police activities – which involve raids and house-to-house searches – is bad for business in every sense. And so the murderer, ultimately a victim of his own sick urges, is pursued, hunted and driven to madness by all the city’s thieves, burglars, whores, fences, beggars and con artists. (reproduced from the Komische Oper website)

The cast includes baritone Scott Hendricks (M. the Murderer), soprano Alma Sadé and tenor Tansel Akzeybek. Ainars Rubikis conducts the Orchestra and the Children Chorus of the Komische Oper. Barrie Kosky directs.

The score is published by Sikorski. The required orchestra is the following :

- 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 tenor saxophone, 1 bassoon ;
- 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 2 trombones, 1 tuba ;
- timpani, percussion (2 players), electric guitar, electric bass guitar, 3 keyboards, accordion, celesta (doubling organ and harpsichord) ;
- strings (6.6.4.3.2).

(reproduced from the Sikorski website)

Today : world première of Attila Kadri Şendil's 'The Town Musicians of Bremen' in Berlin

Today, the Komische Oper in Berlin presents the world première of The Town Musicians of Bremen, of children opera in two acts composed by Attila Kadri Şendil, with a libretto by Ulrich Lenz inspired by the Brothers Grimm's tale.

It is the composer's first opera.

A stubborn mule with a will of his own; a wild tearaway who isn’t in control of his own strength; gentleness personified, who wouldn’t hurt a soul; and a troublemaker who instantly voices every single emotion – these are the four companions whom fate brings together. Displaced, driven away, abandoned, abused and humiliated, they set out on their journey because »they can find a better place than this anywhere«. Bremen is the destination of their dreams. In the place where fairytales come true, they hope finally to find recognition, fame and fortune.  (reproduced from the Komische Oper website)

The cast includes bass Carsten Sabrowski (Donkey), tenor Adrian Strooper (Dog), mezzo Katarzyna Włodarczyk (Cat), soprano Andromahi Raptis (Cockerel), bass baritone Christian Tschelebiew (Ernst), and mezzo Christiane Oertel (Helga). Ivo Hentschel conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Komische Oper. Tobias Ribitzki directs.

Today : world première of 'Snow White' by Elena Kats-Chernin in Berlin

Today, the Komische Oper in Berlin presents the world première performance of a new children opera composed by Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, Schneewittchen und die 77 Zwerge (Snow White and the 77 Dwarves), with a libretto by Susanne Felicitas Wolf, after the fairytale by the brothers Grimm.

The world famous fairy tale has been adapted into a witty and cheeky version :

Princess Snow White is sick of it: forever having to practise her calligraphy! She yearns for the big wide world, for adventure and a wealth of new experiences. Her vain stepmother, the queen who is practically obsessed by her own beauty, is not only completely lacking in empathy – even worse, she feels no tenderness whatsoever towards her stepdaughter. Luckily for Snow White, she has a trusty companion in the form of a slightly too-large rabbit named Richard III. Together, they manage to flee from the murderous queen... (reproduced from the Komische Oper website)

Elena Kats-Chernin has already composed several works for the lyrical stage, including The Rage of Life (Antwerpen, 2010), and a trilogy based on Monteverdi's operas (Odysseus, Orpheus and Poppea, Berlin, 2012).

The cast includes soprano Alma Sadé (Snow White), mezzo soprano Susanne Kreusch (Stepmother) and actor Dirk Johnston (Richard III). Pawel Poplaswki conducts and Christian von Götz directs. The performance should last about 2 hours.

New season 2015-2016 at the Komische Oper in Berlin

This Saturday morning, I have received the program book for the 2015-2016 at the Komische Oper in Berlin.

The following operas will have new productions :

- Jacques Offenbach : The Tales of Hoffmann (in German and French), conducted by Stefan Blunier and directed by Barrie Kosky ;
- Elena Kats-Chernin : Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs (in German) conducted by Pawel Poplawski, directed by Christian von Götz (children opera, word première) ;
- Frederick Loewe : My Fair Lady (in German), conducted by Kristiina Poska, directed by Andreas Homoki ;
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky : Eugene Onegin (in Russian), conducted by Henrik Nanasi, directed by Barrie Kosky ;
- Heinrich Marschner : Der Vampyr (in German), conducted by Antony Hermus, directed by Antu Romero Nunes ;
- HK Gruber : Geschichten aus dem Wiener Wald (in German), conducted by Hendrik Vestmann, directed by Michal Zadara ;
- Jules Massenet : Cendrillon (in French), conducted by Henrik Nanasi, directed by Damiano Michieletto.

The following productions will be revived :

- Paul Abraham : Ball im Savoy (in German), directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in June 2013) ;
- Leonard Bernstein : West Side Story (in German and English), directed by Barrie Kosky and Alma Sadé (first performed in November 2013) ;
- Nico Dostal : Clivia (in German), directed by Stefan Huber (first performed in March 2014) ;
- Georg Friedrich Haendel : Serse (in German), directed by Stefan Herheim (first performed in May 2012) ;
- Georg Friedrich Haendel : Giulio Cesare (in Italian), directed by Lydia Steier (to be first performed in May 2015) ;
- Engelbert Humperdinck : Hänsel und Gretel (in German), directed by Reinhard von der Thannen (first performed in March 2013) ;
- Marius Felix Lange : The Ghost of Canterville (in German), directed by Jasmina Hadziahmetovic (first performed in November 2014) ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : The Magic Flute (in German), directed by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky (first performed in November 2012) ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Don Giovanni (in German), directed by Herbert Fritsch (first performed in November 2014) ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Le Nozze di Figaro (in German), directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in January 2005) ;
- Jacques Offenbach : La Belle Hélène (in German), directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in October 2014) ;
- Cole Porter : Kiss Me, Kate (in German), directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in May 2008) ;
- Sergei Prokofiev : The Fiery Angel (in Russian), directed by Benedict Andrews (first performed in January 2014) ;
- Jean-Philippe Rameau : Castor et Pollux (in French), directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in May 2014).

21 operas (including 7 new productions) by 17 composers will be performed  in 5 languages. They cover the complete history of opera, from baroque era (Haendel and Rameau) to contemporary (Lange, Gruber, Kats-Chernin).

Received in the mail this week

Since Tuesday, I received the following in the mail :

- Berlin, Komische Oper : September October 2014 brochure ;
- Bonn, Theater : August September and Octobre 2014 leaflets ;
- Fort Worth : 2014 Opera Festival Experience Guide ;
- Regensburg, Theater : 2014-2015 season program book ;
- Stuttgart, Staatstheater : September October 2014 brochure ;
- Torino, Teatro Regio : 2014-2015 season program brochure ;
- Versailles, Centre de Musique Baroque : 2014-2015 season program book.

New Season 2014-2015 at the Komische Oper, Berlin

During the 2014-2015, the Komische Oper in Berlin will present the follwing new productions :

- Jacques Offenbach : La Belle Hélène, conducted by Henrik Nanasi and Kristiina Poska, directed by Barrie Kosky ;
- Marius Felix Lange : Das Gespenst von Canterville, conducted by Kristiina Poska, directed by Jasmina Hadziahmetovic (world première production first performed in Zurich in April 2012) ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Don Giovanni, conducted by Henrik Nanasi and Kristiina Poska, directed by Herbert Fritsch ;
- Oscar Straus : Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will !, conducted by Adam Benzwi, directed by Barrie Kosky ;
- double bill : Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Bela Bartok's Bluedbeard's Castle, conducted by Henrik Nanasi, directed by Calixto Bieito ;
- Arnold Schönberg : Moses und Aron, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, directed by Barrie Kosky ;
- Georg Friedrich Händel : Giulio Cesare, conducted by Konrad Junghänel, directed by Lydia Steier.

The following productions will be revived :
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Die Zauberflöte, directed by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky (first performed in November 2012) ;
- Nico Dostal : Clivia, directed by Stefan Huber (first performed in March 2014) ;
- Benjamin Britten : A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Viestur Kairiss (first performed in September 2013) ;
- Johann Strauß : Die Fledermaus, directed by Andreas Homoki (first performed in September 2007) ;
- Leonard Bernstein : West Side Story, directed by Barrie Kosky and Otto Pichler (first performed in November 2013) ;
- Milos Vacek : Des Kaisers neue Kleider, directed by Lydia Steier (first performed in October 2013) ;
- Pierangelo Valtinoni : Die Schneekönigin, directed by Anisha Bondy (first performed in October 2010) ;
- Paul Abraham : Ball im Savoy, directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in June 2013) ;
- Claudio Monteverdi / Elena Kats-Chernin : Orpheus, directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in September 2012) ;

- Claudio Monteverdi / Elena Kats-Chernin : Odysseus, directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in September 2012) ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Cosi fan tutte, directed by Alvis Hermanis (first performed in November 2013) ;
- Georges Bizet : Carmen, directed by Sebastian Baumgarten (first performed in November 2011) ;
- Giuseppe Verdi : Rigoletto, directed by Barrie Kosky (first performed in September 2009).

And in concert :
- Emmerich Kalman : Arizona Lady, conducted by Kai Tietje ;
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart : Lucio Silla, conducted by Kristiina Poska.

Altogether, there will be seven new productions, 1 false new production, 13 revivals and 2 concert versions.

Most of the operas are performed in German, with the following exceptions : Gianni Schicchi, Lucio Silla and Giulio Cesare (in Italian), Cosi fan tutte (in German and Italian), Bluebeard's Castle (in Hungarian), West Side Story (in English and German).

In the program book for the new season, there is a chronology of the 23 works being performed. Only 11 of them (including the two Monteverdi operas arranged by Elena Kats-Chernin) have been composed before 1914, meaning 12 (more than half of the total) have been composed in the last 100 years.

Just received this Wednesday morning

This morning, I have received the following :

- Mai to July 2014 brochure from the Komische Oper, Berlin ;
- 2014-2015 season program book from Oper Köln.