All at sea in Berlin: Billy Budd at the Deutsche Oper

By Max Woods, 25 May 2014

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“Chest’s Budd was excellent... he has all the youthful vigour and lyricism for this character ”

Reviewed at Deutsche Oper, Berlin on 22 May 2014

Britten, Billy Budd

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Sir Donald Runnicles, Conductor

David Alden, Director

Paul Steinberg, Set Designer

Burkhard Ulrich, Captain Vere

John Chest, Billy Budd

Gidon Saks, John Claggart

Clemens Bieber, Red Whiskers

Alvaro Zambrano, Squeak

Marko Mimica, Bosun

Simon Pauly, Donald

Tobias Kehrer, Lieutenant Ratcliffe

Albert Pesendorfer, Mr Flint

Markus Brück, Mr Redburn

L’italiana in Algeri in the wrestling ring at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 8th March

A classic opera buffa gets an update by Rolando Villazón to a produce a staging that celebrates the timeless vitality of Rossini’s comic imagination.

****1

Between ecstasy and abyss: Korngold’s Violanta at the Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 25th January

David Hermann directs a new production of Korngold’s teenage opera, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

Giordano's Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 27th November

A new production of Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin warms up the cold German winter, featuring strong lead performances by Vida Miknevičiūtė and Jonathan Tetelman.

***11

Thalheimer’s directs a static new Berlin Tristan und Isolde

Zenaida des Aubris, 1st November

At the start of his farewell to Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sir Donald Runnicles shines with his orchestra, supplying the passion and tension withheld in Michael Thalheimer’s production.

****1

Anatomy of a love: Rebecca Saunders’ Lash at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 20th June

Nearing the close of the season, Deutsche Oper Berlin premieres Rebecca Saunders’ first opera Lash – Acts of Love, a visceral reflection on love and death.

*****

Upstairs, downstairs: Die Frau ohne Schatten at Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 26th January

Tobias Kratzer gives his third Strauss production in three seasons at Deutsche Oper Berlin another contemporary spin.

****1

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Max Woods

Max studied musicology before moving to Germany to pursue a Masters degree in music performance. He currently teaches music and English and works as a freelance journalist and performer.