With Easter fast approaching, renditions of the Passion of Christ are a regular occurrence. A couple of weeks ago I managed to see the spectacular performance of Bach’s Matthäus-Passion at the Berliner Philharmoniker with the Preussens Hofmusik Orchester, the Berlin Philharmonischer Chor and the Staats- und Domchor. Never before have I heard the whole three-hour piece…
Tag: opera performance
Carmen: A Modern Interpretation
When deciding to go to see an ‘opera’ entitled Carmen, one would think they are going to a great masterpiece filled with drama, expressive costumes and those fantastic, classic, operatic pieces of music like L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera). The Theaterdiscounter however, provides the audience with something entirely different. With an ensemble of only five musicians dressed in identical…
Elektra at the Neuköllner Oper
This energetic, compelling and somewhat disturbing show is a modernisation of the original opera Elektra by Richard Strauss. Initially written as a drama in 1903, Strauss adapted it to become a one-act opera in 1909. While the plot is loosely based on an ancient Greek mythological story of family, murder and revenge, both Strauss’ adaptation…
AVENTURES | SUR SCÈNE | NOUVELLES AVENTURES
AVENTURES | SUR SCÈNE | NOUVELLES AVENTURES is a contemporary opera performed by the Berlin Staatsoper, combining works from German-Argentine composer Mauricio Kagel and Hungarian/Austrian composer György Ligeti. Drawing inspiration from these composers is particularly interesting and bound to have a fascinating outcome, due to Kagel’s attraction to a theatrical emphasis on musical performances and…
Geschichte at Schiller Theater
Audience members with no prior knowledge about the opera take their seats, unaware and bemused by the setting. The seating area is boxed in entirely; three white walls and one mirrored wall facing the audience. As the seats begin to fill up, the audience wonder whether the mirrored wall will open up to reveal the stage behind. This however, is…
Emily D'Silva 