COLUMBUS opera

 
COLUMBUS

an opera by Werner Egk
Oper Bonn
PREMIERE June 2024

Conductor                                                                                                  Hermes Helfricht
Director                                                                                               Jakob Peters-Messer
Stage                                                                                                       Sebastian Hannak
Costume                                                                                                         Sven Bindseil
Video                                                                                                                    Robi Voigt
Light                                                                                                                    Max Karbe



This opera was conceived as a full-length radio opera written in 1933 and has been transported to a scenic version for only the second time.
This huge chorus opera depicts the rise and fall of Christopher Columbus from his hopeful departure for the "new world" to his death in bitterness, poverty and humiliation. Quotes from historical documents and the chorus' commentary emphasize the ambivalence of the title character and the questionable outcome of his efforts: Within a few years, the so-called paradise became the hell of colonial exploitation.
I chose to create a situation that creates a nearness to and thus an approachability for the audience: the orchestra is positioned on stage, and a great part of the performance the chorus and soloists sing from the auditorium and the front of stage. A huge golden space sourrounds the orchestra, that is placed in an abstract architure resembling a temple, emphasizing the presence of the musicians. On the stage i positioned a lot of different oversized sculptures that resemble stolen artwork of indigenous nations. Amongst them I loosely positioned 8 TV monitors that show documentary material as well as live video. A historic sculpture of Columbus is brought in stage. In the beginning, we see Columbus recruiting masses for his enterprise, whereas at the end, we see him as an old man derived of his dreams, disillusioned from his enterprise.
Werner Egk was under the influence and impression of contemporary theatre makers such as Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill. Calling his work "Bericht und Bildnis" citing the tradition of the Lehrstück, it mixes elements of oratorio, opera and drama.
As part of the FOKUS' 33 series that performs works from a forgotten era, once again an exciting, rarely performed opera worthy of discussion has resurfaced!

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