Singer

The Makropoulos Affair contains some of Janáček’s most compelling music, starting with its Prelude that hints at the 16th-century birth year of Emilia Marty, complete with pounding timpani and fanfares. From there, Janáček spins a taut drama culminating in a heartbreaking scene as Emilia finally confesses to her identity.

EPSG:4326

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle

Barbican Centre

At the heart of Věc Makropulos is a recipe for a life-prolonging elixir invented by the doctor Hieronymus Makropulos for Emperor Rudolf II. It was tested on the doctor's beautiful daughter, who has now been on earth for 337 years and has had countless affairs over the generations. In the end, however, the seemingly young woman has to realize that an endless life on this side of the world only brings loneliness...

Věc Makropulos

Vienna State Opera

Alban Berg's Wozzeck tells the story of a tormented creature who, beset by visions and fears, ridiculed and tormented by society, is driven out of existence - until the final catastrophe occurs and the victim also becomes a perpetrator.

Wozzeck

Three masterpieces – two centuries – one narrative. There is Schumann's song cycle "Frauenliebe und -leben ," in which the feelings of the nameless protagonist revolve around the needs of a man. There is Duke Bluebeard's Castle , in which two mysterious strangers are magically attracted to each other. And there is the bourgeois, liberal marriage construct of Oscar Wilde's Florentine Tragedy . These raise the question: Do people desire the same throughout all ages?

Unknown

Marlis Petersen

Events

Upcoming events

9 - 13 Apr, 2026

Wozzeck · Wiener Staatsoper

Apr 12 - May 22, 2026

Women's Love and Death · Staatsoper Hamburg

Past events

13 - 15 Jan, 2026

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle · Barbican Centre

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2025

Věc Makropulos · Wiener Staatsoper

Future and recently performed repertoire

Marie in Wozzeck by Berg

Wiener Staatsoper

Emilia Marty in The Makropulos Affair by Janáček

Barbican Centre

About

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