This opera is the world in a theatrical nutshell: it deals with growing older, with trials and tribulations, with intransparent decisions. One person searches for individuality, another is too lazy to do so. Others postulate that the community is the only adequate place for the individual. Power has either been legitimised by long tradition or usurped by new regimes. Values such as assimilation and loyalty are set against self-assertiveness and independence. There is loving and dreaming, cheating and trusting. Suicides are prevented, tests passed, adventures survived. Who is right? Who has been wronged? The world of the magic flute is opaque, and everyone is looking for a pathway: within it, into it or out of it. Who holds the reigns? Who can be trusted? Could it be music?

EPSG:4326

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Staatsoper Hamburg

Three composers cry out in the void. The London Philharmonic Orchestra continues its exploration of memory, in works by Schoenberg, Shostakovich and Weinberg.

A Dark Century

Southbank Centre

In the beginning was a murder. Before, after, and in between: women — Italian, German, French, Spanish women, chambermaids, countesses, peasants, princesses, blonde, brunette, pale, fat, thin, old, rich, ugly, beautiful women — no matter, as long as they are female. Special preferences: young and inexperienced. So much tolerance! Thank you, noble Don, hero of equality. How would you like a women’s movement? Or we could simply wait until the ground opens up to swallow the murderer … It is the last moment; an unavoidable downfall. Don Giovanni, libertinage incarnate, has no place in the realm of reason. It is social progress which throws moral permissiveness into the jaws of hell.

Don Giovanni

The years between the death of Ivan the Terrible and the ascension of the Romanov family to the throne are known in Russia as the “Time of Troubles”. During this time, Boris Godunov strives to gain power with an iron determination. However, the ghosts of the past catch up with him and he dies a madman, abandoned and betrayed by everyone. In the meantime, the country sinks ever deeper into corruption, putsches and intrigue. A new “Time of Troubles” dawned during Modest Mussorgsky’s lifetime: the old order faltered and could not survive, everyone felt it. During a period of political upheaval and shaken by dramatic developments in his private life, Mussorgsky created a work about the arrogance of power and the eroticism of betrayal – as contradictory and fascinating as his personality itself.

Boris Godunov

Young Tatyana falls in love with Eugene Onegin, and confesses her love for him, against all convention. When he pretends that marriage is not for him, she weds Prince Gremin in haste. After many years, Tatyana and Onegin meet again, but their belated confession of mutual love cannot bring them back together.

Eugene Onegin

Maria and Elisabetta: two queens fight for power and love. Between them stands Count Leicester, Elisabetta's lover, who is attracted to Maria. The two women meet in the park of Fotheringhay Castle - a duel of emotions, fought with the weapons of bel canto, coloratura on a knife's edge. In the end, the Catholic Maria will ascend the scaffold with her head held high, while the Protestant Elisabetta will keep her throne but lose her love.

Maria Stuarda

"How can you say why you love something? You don't need reasons, you just love." Evgeny Kissin is irritated by the question of why he loves Dmitri Shostakovich. He owes this to his parents, who had a recording of his 1st Piano Concerto in their record cabinet. Young Evgeny fell in love with this music immediately. A love that continues to this day and that will shape both of the portrait artist's concerts at the Ruhr Piano Festival 2025 - the year that marks the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich's death. 

Alexander Roslavets

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 21, 2024 - Jan 17, 2025

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) · Staatsoper Hamburg

Feb 25 - Mar 9, 2025

Eugene Onegin · Staatsoper Hamburg

Mar 16 - Apr 2, 2025

Maria Stuarda · Staatsoper Hamburg

Jul 7, 2025

Ruhr Piano Festival · Bochumer Symphoniker

Past events

Dec 21, 2024 - Jan 17, 2025

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) · Staatsoper Hamburg

Nov 27, 2024

A Dark Century · Southbank Centre

Future and recently performed repertoire

Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte by Mozart

Staatsoper Hamburg

The Commander in Don Giovanni by Mozart

Staatsoper Hamburg

Fürst Gremin in Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky

Staatsoper Hamburg

Varlaam in Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky

Staatsoper Hamburg

Talbot in Maria Stuarda by Donizetti

Staatsoper Hamburg

About

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