Max Hopp falls short with Die Banditen at Komische Oper

Die Banditen

By Zenaida des Aubris, 19 December 2023

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“these cuts have not been to its benefit, especially not in terms of understanding the complex plot”

Reviewed at Schillertheater: Großer Saal, Berlin on 17 December 2023

Offenbach, Les Brigands (The Bandits) (Semi-staged performance)

Komische Oper Berlin

Adrien Perruchon, Conductor

Max Hopp, Director

Katrin Kath-Bösel, Costume Designer

Johannes Scherfling, Lighting Designer

Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin

Vocalconsort Berlin

Julia Jordà Stoppelhaar, Dramaturgy

Alexander Kaimbacher, Falsacappa

Nadja Mchantaf, Fiorella

Johannes Dunz, Fragoletto

Ferdinand Keller, Le Baron de Campo-Tasso

Noam Heinz, Le Prince de Mantoue

Elisabeth Wrede, La Princesse de Grenade

Christoph Späth, Le Chef des Carabiniers

Ivan Turšić, Le Comte de Gloria-Cassis

Tom Erik Lie, Antonio

Julia Schaffenrath, Adolphe de Valladolid

Friedemann Büttner, Pietro

Martin Fehr, Carmagnola

Pedro Matos, Domino

Simon Lasker Wallfisch, Barbavano

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.

Daylight robbery: Max Hopp falls short with Offenbach's Die Banditen at Komische Oper