Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten

John Holiday (Akhnaten) and ensemble

John Holiday (Akhnaten) and Susan Zarrabi (Nefertiti)

John Holiday (Akhnaten)

John Holiday (Akhnaten) and ensemble

By Zenaida des Aubris, 26 March 2025

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“Kosky creates strong tableaux and impressive action sequences”

Reviewed at Schillertheater: Großer Saal, Berlin on 23 March 2025

Glass, Akhnaten

Komische Oper Berlin

Jonathan Stockhammer, Conductor

Barrie Kosky, Director

Klaus Grünberg, Set Designer, Lighting Designer

Klaus Bruns, Costume Designer

Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin

Chorsolisten der Komischen Oper Berlin

Anne Kuhn, Set Designer

John Holiday, Akhnaten

Susan Zarrabi, Nefertiti

Sarah Brady, Queen Tye

Noam Heinz, Horemhab

Stefan Cifolelli, High Priest of Amon

Tijl Faveyts, Aye

Peter Renz, Scribe

Vocalconsort Berlin

Handel’s Belshazzar at Komische Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 28th March

The Baroque confectionery of Herbert Fritsch's production of Handel's oratorio belies a serious core which is all too close to today's headlines.

****1

Barrie Kosky directs a ferocious new Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Zenaida des Aubris, 31st January

Shostakovich's opera is laid bare in Berlin, to devastating effect, with a distinguished cast led by Ambur Braid.

****1

Masks and obsessions: Evgeny Titov’s Salome at Komische Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 22nd November

Salome is faceless and the Dance of the Seven Veils becomes a sardonic commentary on seduction in Komische Oper Berlin's austere new staging.

****1

A blade too dull: Kosky directs Sweeney Todd at Komische Oper

Elena Luporini, 17th November

With a brand new production by Barrie Kosky, Komische Oper Berlin's first venture into the Sondheim repertoire mostly falls flat.

**111

Kirill Serebrennikov’s Marriage of Figaro challenges Edinburgh

David Smythe, 16th August

Komische Oper Berlin's The Marriage of Figaro is staged at the Edinburgh International Festival with a strong cast headed by Penny Sofroniadou and Peter Kellner.

****1

Kosky's Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will at Komische Oper

Elena Luporini, 22nd March

It takes two to tango... but what about vaudeville? A rerun of Barrie Kosky's production of Oscar Straus' Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will owes most of its charm to the two leads.

***11

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Zenaida des Aubris

Zenaida des Aubris, based in Berlin, has over 30 years experience in artist management and production of classical music and opera in the United States, Europe and Asia. Currently, she offers consultation to music competitions and schools as well as to individual recent graduates on how to manage themselves and kickstart their careers through her company Opera Career Advice.