Kosky’s bold Threepenny Opera delights Edinburgh

Gabriel Schneider (Macheath) and Cynthia Micas (Polly Peachum)

Cynthia Micas (Polly Peachum)

Amelie Willberg (Lucy Brown) and Gabriel Schneider (Macheath)

Gabriel Schneider (Macheath) and Kathrin Wehlisch (Tiger Brown)

By David Smythe, 19 August 2023

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“Kosky the showman breaking the fourth wall with mischievous menace”

Reviewed at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on 18 August 2023

Weill, The Threepenny Opera (Die Dreigroschenoper)

Berliner Ensemble

Adam Benzwi, Conductor, Piano, Harmonium

Barrie Kosky, Director

Rebecca Ringst, Set Designer

Dinah Ehm, Costume Designer

Ulrich Eh, Lighting Designer

Holger Schwark, Sound Design

Sibylle Baschung, Dramaturgy

Cynthia Micas, Polly Peachum

Pauline Knof, Celia Peachum

Gabriel Schneider, Macheath

Tilo Nest, Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum

Amelie Willberg, Lucy

Bettina Hoppe, Jenny

Kathrin Wehlisch, Actor

Josefin Platt, Actor

Nicky Wuchinger, Vocals

Julia Berger, Actor

Julie Wolff, Actor

Dennis Jankowiak, Actor

Heidrun Schug, Actor

Berliner Ensemble

James Scannell, Alto saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo

Doris Decker, Soprano saxophone, Tenor saxophone, Baritone saxophone

Lorenz Jansky, Trumpet

Otwin Zipp, Double Bass

Stephan Genze, Percussion

Ralf Templin, Guitar

Siegfried at the RBO: Kosky and Pappano surprise and delight

David Karlin, 17th March

A revelatory orchestral performance and a cast led by Andreas Schager, Christopher Maltman and Elisabeth Strid make this a Siegfried for the record books.

*****

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

Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

Nick Boston, 8th June

Returning from the original run, Christopher Purves and Iestyn Davies were joined by a strong cast and chorus for a revival of Barrie Kosky's striking production.

*****

Hotel Metamorphosis: Vivaldi reborn through Ovid's lens in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 8th June

A pasticcio of superb musicianship is the main event at the Venice-themed Whitsun Festival.

****1

The little man has his day: a nasty and brutish Die Walküre

Peter Quantrill, 1st May

The latest, thrilling instalment of Barrie Kosky's Ring cycle at Covent Garden does not have to strain for contemporary relevance.

*****

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

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

Barrie Kosky’s bold Threepenny Opera delights at the Edinburgh International Festival