A spooky Damnation de Faust in Berlin transports us to a sinister world

By Christie Franke, 24 February 2014

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“Christian Spuck's creepy, elegant new Damnation de Faust in Berlin makes quite an impact.”

Reviewed at Deutsche Oper, Berlin on 23 February 2014

Berlioz, La Damnation de Faust

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Sir Donald Runnicles, Conductor

Christian Spuck, Director

Emma Ryott, Set Designer

Clémentine Margaine, Marguerite

Klaus Florian Vogt, Faust

Tobias Kehrer, Brander

Samuel Youn, Méphistophélès

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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Christie Franke

Christie Franke is a Berlin-based writer and opera lover. Her blog, Tiny Doom’s Opernpalais, chronicles her adventures as an opera-lover and writer, serving as discussion ground for character profiles, operatic plot holes, and the magic of music in everyday life.