The war is over, and tragedy takes its course: the mother and her lover murder the father upon his return. The daughter hides her brother, keeping him safe. – Every day, Elektra thinks of her murdered father, plotting blood-stained celebrations of victory and waiting for the moment when her brother, reared as an avenger, returns. Under one roof with her father’s murderers, thirst for blood and revenge collide with the future plans of her younger sister, who longs for marriage and children, a life in harmony and bliss. The mother is governed by another delusion: “It is not a word, it is not pain, it does not pinch me or strangle me, … and yet it is so terrible that my soul wishes it had been hanged, and every part of my body cries out for death.” Sacrifice is meant to bring relief.

EPSG:4326

Elektra

Staatsoper Hamburg

“Don‘t you know the horrible dark place, don’t you know the evil one lives there?” Hastily, their parents set out for the woods to save Hansel and Gretel from the witch Rosina Leckermaul. As they feared, the children have got lost in the woods and found the gingerbread house. They cannot resist the sweet temptation – and fall straight into the trap of the witch, who likes children so much she could eat them up… literally.

Hänsel und Gretel (Hansel and Gretel)

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?

Hellen Kwon

Events

Upcoming events

15 - 25 Dec, 2024

Hänsel und Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) · Staatsoper Hamburg

Dec 21, 2024 - Jan 17, 2025

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) · Staatsoper Hamburg

Past events

10 - 19 Nov, 2024

Elektra · Staatsoper Hamburg

Future and recently performed repertoire

Fifth Maid in Elektra by Strauss

Staatsoper Hamburg

First Lady in Die Zauberflöte by Mozart

Staatsoper Hamburg

Crisp witch in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck

Staatsoper Hamburg

About

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