A parable for our times: Eötvös' Sleepless premieres in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 30 November 2021

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“the plot of this opera ballad is as despondent as the November weather in real life”

Reviewed at Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin on 28 November 2021

Eötvös, Sleepless

Staatsoper Berlin

Peter Eötvös, Conductor

Kornél Mundruczó, Director

Monika Pormale, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Felice Ross, Lighting Designer

Victoria Randem, Alida

Linard Vrielink, Asle

Katharina Kammerloher, Mother / Midwife

Sarah Defrise, Girl

Hanna Schwarz, Old Woman

Siyabonga Maqungo, Jeweller

Arttu Kataja, Asleik

Roman Trekel, Boatman

Tómas Tómasson, Man in Black

Jan Martiník, Innkeeper

Staatskapelle Berlin

Eyes wide shut for Berlin’s new Ballo

Mark Pullinger, 29th March

At the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Rafael R Villalobos addresses the problems he perceives with Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, although the musical performances – led by Anna Netrebko – compensate.

***11

Young stars shine in the Staatsoper Berlin’s Rosenkavalier

Mark Pullinger, 28th March

Patricia Nolz makes an outstanding role debut as Christian Thielemann conducts a thrusting Rosenkavalier to open the Staatsoper Unter den Linden's Festtage.

*****

Love is in the hare: a new Cunning Little Vixen opens in Berlin

Elena Luporini, 28th February

The Staatsoper's new production of Janáček's opera buzzes with life thanks to Sir Simon Rattle's conducting and an excellent cast led by Vera-Lotte Boecker and Magdalena Kožená.

****1

Pintscher’s Das kalte Herz premieres at Staatsoper Unter den Linden

Elena Luporini, 14th January

On a snowy January evening, the premiere of Matthias Pintscher’s new opera Das kalte Herz fails to warm up the Berlin public.

**111

Happy 100th birthday, Wozzeck! Thielemann leads Berlin revival

Elena Luporini, 14th December

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden celebrates the 100th birthday of Alban Berg's masterpiece with a stellar cast in Andrea Breth’s revived production.

***11

Low on laughs: Die schweigsame Frau in Berlin

Elena Luporini, 19th July

Newly General Music Director Christian Thielemann and Jan Philipp Gloger bring Richard Strauss' Die schweigsame Frau to the Staatsoper Berlin for the first time, but la commedia is hardly stupenda.

**111

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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.

A parable for our times: Peter Eötvös' Sleepless premieres at the Staatsoper Berlin