This March, after making her ENO directorial debut with the gripping new production of the multi-award nominated The Handmaid’s Tale in 2022, Annilese Miskimmon (the ENO’s Artistic Director) directs the new production of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s The Dead City (Die tote Stadt).
Promising to fulfil Miskimmon’s acclaimed directorial style, this production will find the romance at the heart of Korngold’s story, sung in English with a new translation by Kelley Rourke.
Composed in 1920 post-war Europe, Korngold’s cult classic opera The Dead City is a psychological exploration of loss. Grieving for his wife Marie, Paul shuts himself away in their home fixated on her memory, until an encounter with her doppelgänger turns the world on its head as he grapples with the blurred boundaries between his memories and newfound desires.
At the age of 23, Korngold composed The Dead City (Die tote Stadt) which became commonly known as his strongest operatic work. The opera was adapted from Georges Rodenbach’s 1892 novel Bruges-la-Morte, which was then adapted by librettist Paul Schott – a pseudonym for Erich and Julius Korngold, the father and son duo who wrote the libretto together.
Whilst a notable composer of classical compositions, Korngold is known primarily as one of the most influential pioneers in Hollywood score-writing. During World War II, Korngold relocated from Austria to Hollywood due to the political turmoil in Europe, fleeing as a Jew from the rise of the Nazi regime. This move marked a transition into a new stage of Korngold’s career as a composer for film where he became a hugely influential figure best known for his Golden Age of Hollywood film scores. The roots of this can be found in The Dead City – remarkably cinematic in its score, the music is incredibly accessible to modern ears, perfect for those new to opera.
Annilese Miskimmon, Director and ENO’s Artistic Director, says: ‘I am delighted to bring Korngold’s rarely performed cult classic The Dead City (Die tote Stadt) to life at the London Coliseum with a world-class group of singers and musicians. With the help of Korngold’s cinematic score, we will be taking new audiences and our ENO regulars to the romantic world this groundbreaking composer has created.’
‘Based on the novella by Georges Rodenbach that also helped inspire Hitchcock’s Vertigo, the opera starts off in reality, before dissolving into a dark dreamscape of hallucination. This story of a man learning to move on to a new life after the untimely death of his beloved wife is utterly romantic and enigmatically surreal as a stranger he sees on a city street seems to be the living incarnation of his dead love. The audience are confronted with questions about holding on versus letting go, and whether memories are real or illusionary.’
Leading the award-winning ENO Orchestra, expanded to 88 musicians, is Ukrainian Conductor Kirill Karabits. Making his ENO debut is Swiss tenor Rolf Romei who is performing the role of Paul. Making her ENO debut is British soprano Allison Oakes who is performing the role of Marietta. Making a highly anticipated return to the ENO in the role of Brigitta is mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly.
Norwegian baritone Audun Iversen is singing the roles of Frank/Fritz. Performing the role of Juliette is former Harewood Artist and Welsh soprano Rhian Lois. British mezzo-soprano Clare Presland is returning to the London Coliseum to perform the role of Lucienne.
Former Harewood Artist and British tenor William Morgan is returning to the ENO to perform the role of Victorin. Current Harewood Artist and South African tenor Innocent Masuku will be returning to the London Coliseum stage for his fourth engagement of the 2022/23 Season in the role of Gastone. Joining this stellar cast on stage is the award-winning ENO Chorus.
Miriam Buether is the Set Designer, Nicky Gillibrand is the Costume Designer, James Farncombe is the Lighting Designer, and Imogen Knight is the Movement Director and Intimacy Coordinator.
The Dead City (Die tote Stadt) opens on Saturday 25 March for 6 performances: Mar 25, 28, 31 and Apr 3, 6 at 19.30. Apr 8 at 15.00. More information can be found here.
British Sign Language performance: Monday 3 April, 19.30
