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Handelian labours: Barrie Kosky directs Hercules at the Komische Oper Berlin

Brandon Cedel (Hercules)
© Monika Rittershaus
Paula Murrihy (Dejanira) and Susan Zarrabi (Lichas)
© Monika Rittershaus
Paula Murrihy (Dejanira) and the Chorus of Komische Oper Berlin
© Monika Rittershaus
Brandon Cedel (Hercules) and Caspar Singh (Hyllus)
© Monika Rittershaus
By Zenaida des Aubris, 06 March 2024
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“Brandon Cedel, was perfectly cast, with sheer vocal power”
Reviewed at Schillertheater: Großer Saal, Berlin on 3 March 2024
Programme
Handel, Hercules
Performers
Komische Oper Berlin
David Bates, Conductor
Barrie Kosky, Director
Katrin Lea Tag, Set Designer, Costume Designer
Joachim Klein, Lighting Designer
Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin
Chorsolisten der Komischen Oper Berlin
Johanna Wall, Dramaturgy
Penny Sofroniadou, Iole
Paula Murrihy, Dejanira
Caspar Singh, Hyllus
Brandon Cedel, Hercules
Susan Zarrabi, Lichas
Noam Heinz, Baritone
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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. 
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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. 
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Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten
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Barrie Kosky's new production of Philip Glass' Akhnaten for Komische Oper at the Schillertheater removes any egyptological references. 
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A blade too dull: Kosky directs Sweeney Todd at Komische Oper
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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
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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
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Barrie KoskyBrandon CedelCaspar SinghChorsolisten der Komischen Oper BerlinDavid BatesGeorge Frideric HandelHerculesJoachim KleinJohanna WallKatrin Lea TagKomische Oper BerlinNoam HeinzOrchester der Komischen Oper BerlinPaula MurrihyPenny SofroniadouSusan Zarrabi
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Zenaida des Aubris
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.