Liebe ist eine Tat: Written on Skin an der Oper Köln

By Alexandra Richter, 02 December 2020

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“Simard-Galdès zeigte den Facettenreichtum Agnès' mit berührender Finesse”

Reviewed at Oper Köln: Staatenhaus Saal 2, Cologne on 1 December 2020

Benjamin, Written on Skin

Oper Köln

François-Xavier Roth, Conductor

Benjamin Lazar, Director

Adeline Caron, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Nicol Hungsberg, Lighting Designer

Magali Simard-Galdès, Agnès

Robin Adams, The Protector

Cameron Shahbazi, Boy / Angel 1

Judith Thielsen, Marie / Angel 2

Dino Lüthy, John / Angel 3

Georg Kehren, Dramaturgy

Gürzenich Orchestra

A very palpable hit: Hamlet in Cologne

Matthew Rye, 24th November

Brett Dean's operatic reworking of Shakespeare's Hamlet receives its German premiere in a powerful new staging by the work's librettist Matthew Jocelyn.

****1

An emotionally distant Peter Grimes at Oper Köln

Cristina Burack, 28th November

Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes is a nuanced, gripping tale that should pack an emotional punch. Despite fine moments, Oper Köln's production didn't serve the work.

**111

A conceptually bold Manon at Oper Köln

Cristina Burack, 15th March

This production fell just short of brilliance but showed how relevant and thought-provoking opera as an art form can be when tapping into today's headline debates.

****1

An effectively unsettling The Emperor of Atlantis at Oper Köln

Cristina Burack, 2nd March

Though straightforward in concept, Oper Köln's production of the one-act opera written in the Theresienstadt concentration camp brought the opera's profound themes to the surface in an excellently sung performance.

***11

Oper Köln's delightful Orpheus enraptures all ages

Cristina Burack, 19th January

Oper Köln’s Orpheus in the Underworld proved age accessibility must not sacrifice humour and musical integrity. The tight ensemble piece was superbly acted and well-sung throughout.

****1

Fidelio: delightful Beethoven in Cologne

Brian Angus, 1st July

In a temporary home, Cologne Opera have mounted a remarkably joyful production of Beethoven’s single, wonderful opera.

****1

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Alexandra Richter

Alexandra hat Medienwissenschaften studiert und arbeitet als Filmproduzentin in Frankfurt. Tagsüber sind die Kunstausstellungen und Museen ganz Europas ihr zu Hause. Die Abende verbringt sie gern in der Oper und im Konzertsaal. Hier liegen ihre Schwerpunkte bei Romantischen Komponist*innen, wie Schubert und Wagner. Aber auch zeitgenössische und moderne Musik finden immer wieder Beachtung.