Handel in the British Raj: Harry Kupfer returns to Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 19 March 2019

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“the sensitive and beautifully coloured soprano voice of Ruzan Mantashyan as Queen Mahamaya”

Reviewed at Komische Oper Berlin, Berlin on 16 March 2019

Handel, Poro, re dell'Indie

Komische Oper Berlin

Jörg Halubek, Conductor

Harry Kupfer, Director

Hans Schavernoch, Set Designer

Yan Tax, Costume Designer

Dominik Köninger, Poro

Ruzan Mantashyan, Cleofide

Idunnu Münch, Erissena

Philipp Meierhöfer, Gandarte

Eric Jurenas, Alessandro

João Fernandes, Timagene

Chor der Komischen Oper Berlin

Orchester der Komischen Oper 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

Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten

Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd March

Barrie Kosky's new production of Philip Glass' Akhnaten for Komische Oper at the Schillertheater removes any egyptological references.

****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

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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.

Handel in the British Raj: Harry Kupfer returns to Komische Oper with a rarity