With Hans Werner Henze's Das Floß der Medusa, the Komische Oper Berlin kicked off a series of major productions at Tempelhof Airport at the beginning of each season last year. Handel's probably most famous work is another production that brings the composer to life as an artist who is as emotionally deep as he is musically effective. Also taking part: several hundred singers from amateur choirs in the city of Berlin!
At least the "Hallelujah!" from the Messiah is familiar even to those with a less classical affinity. Handel's most famous work in this country was composed at a turning point in his career. After his operatic ventures had failed financially, the composer, who was already famous at the time, turned increasingly to the genre of the oratorio, which shone with its magnificent choruses. He composed numerous works, often based on mythological subjects. Unlike very theatrical oratorios such as Semele, Jephtha or Saul, Messiah focuses entirely on the contemplative character of the Old and New Testament texts used, from which the librettist Charles Jennens compiled the libretto.
In German-speaking countries, Messiah thus became the epitome of the genre, the oratorio par excellence. For his production, director Damiano Michieletto takes literally the deep belief that music gives us the strength to take our fate into our own hands even in a seemingly hopeless situation and, together with the combined strength of the Komische Oper Berlin's choral soloists and several hundred singers from Berlin choirs, creates a powerful vocal plea for hope.
Premiere September 21, 2024
Further performances: September 22, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29, October 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2024
