Speere Stein Klavier (Spears Rock Piano)
Composition commissioned by The City of Munich for the Munich Biennale
A production of the Munich Biennale and Theater Augsburg
Sponsored by the Carl Orff Foundation, Dießen am Ammersee
composition: Genoël von Lilienstern; direction: Christian Grammel; stage and costume design: Yassu Yabara; dramaturge: Elisabeth Tropper; musical direction: Domonkos Héja;
The Erich Schulze fountain towers in front of the administrative building of GEMA in Munich: a giant, shining tuba made of brass. Under it, hidden under cobblestones, is the debris of the Bürgerbräukeller beer hall: the remains of a failed attempt to assassinate the »Führer«.
The archeological search for traces – an expedition through the horn – brings buried artifacts to light, objects from Munich's history, in particular after 1933: sound documents, blueprints and layout plans, models, wheat beer, granite slabs. Three men – are they father, son, and grandfather? – start working to classify the found objects and assign them. Carl Orff's »Reigen und Einzug der Kinder«, composed for the Olympics in 1936, finds a counterpart in »Gruss der Jugend«, composed for the Olympics in 1972 – Ralph Maria Siegel's post-war feel good hit is compared to his song »Schlager ABC« from 1942.
The analytical, sober undertaking gets more and more out of control: the fragments develop an independent existence, unexpected contradictions and continuities come to the surface – the exorcised spirits become visible. They are the filtered, repudiated part of a historic connection.
Christian Grammel director
A freelance director and dramaturge, he studied applied theater studies at the Justus Liebig University in Gießen under, among others, Heiner Goebbels; Rabih Mroué; and Laurent Chétouane, where he received his diploma in 2011 with a thesis work on the body in contemporary music. In 2012 Grammel celebrated the world premiere of his production of »Josefine« at Theater Mönchengladbach; the concept to this piece won the open competition announced by »Fonds experimentelles Musiktheater NRW«. In addition, the piece »the phantom piper of corrieyairrack« from the year 2009, which had already been performed at Kampnagel Hamburg and HAU Berlin, was invited to the Tonlagen Festival in Hellerau in 2012. He had already produced numerous projects during his studies with, among others, Ensemble Modern Frankfurt; Ensemble musikFabrik Köln; and the International Ensemble Modern Academy.
Genoël von Lilienstern composition
Born in 1979 in Monschau in the Eifel region of Germany, he lives as a freelance composer in Berlin. Genoël von Lilienstern studied composition in Bremen, Berlin, and Den Haag under, among others, Younghi Pagh-Paan; Clarence Barlow; and Hanspeter Kyburz. He attended master classes taught by Georges Aperghis; Douglas Repetto; Brian Eno; and Peter Eötvös, and he received grants from the Ensemble Modern Academy in Frankfurt; Darmstädter Ferienkurse; the Berlin University of the Arts; and Cité Internationale des Arts Paris. He won the Hanns Eisler Award for contemporary music composition and interpretation; the Ring.Award.off in 2008; a special award from Komische Oper Berlin for his opera "Rigolator"; and the Gargonza Arts Award in 2012. In 2013 he was a guest lecturer at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University. His works are performed by, among others, Ensemble Intercontemporain; SWR Orchester; and Ensemble Modern.
Elisabeth Tropper dramaturge
Elisabeth Tropper, born in 1984 in Graz, studied German and journalism at the University of Graz and the University of Klagenfurt. She worked as a freelancer for the arts and entertainment section of a regional daily newspaper, completed internships in the area of culture (among others, at steirischen herbst 2003), and worked as a trainee in direction and dramaturgy, and as an assistant director and assistant dramaturge at opera houses and theaters. In 2007 she was hired as an assistant dramaturge and freshman dramaturge by Schauspielhaus Graz, where she worked with, among others, Patrick Schlösser; Georg Schmiedleitner; and Bernadette Sonnenbichler. In addition she was responsible for supervising different formats at Spielstätte Ebene 3. In 2007 she took part in the International Exposure of Israeli Theatre in Tel Aviv. She has been working as a freelance dramaturge since August 2009, and she worked most recently at Hebbel am Ufer (»Man braucht keinen Reiseführer für ein Dorf, das man sieht« [»You don't need a travel guide for a village you can see«] by Tim Staffel, directed by Nurkan Erpulat), as well as at Heimathafen Neukölln (»Sisters« by Andreea Clucerescu, directed by Nicole Oder).
Yassu Yabara stage and costume design
Yassu Yabara is a freelance set and costume designer in Berlin, and she works with different teams on developing works, on experimental music theater concepts, and on opera performances.
Since she received her diploma in 2011 from the University of the Arts (UdK) in Berlin she has had a multitude of different experiences working with diverse artistic teams on independent productions in Berlin, Switzerland, and at municipal theaters in Germany. She has worked with, among others, Nis-Momme Stockmann at Schauspiel Frankfurt and Stadttheater Heidelberg; Georg Schütky at Oper Leipzig and Staatstheater Mainz; and Julia Lwowski at Sophiensäle, Ballhaus Ost, Galerina Steiner, and Neuköllner Oper.
She recently worked with Beate Baron on »Drei Einakter« (»Three One-acts«) by Bohuslav Martinu at Oper Frankfurt in the Bockenheimer Depot, and she worked with Nele Jahnke and Theater Hora on »Normalität - ein Musical« (»Normality – a musical«) in Zurich at Rote Fabrik.
Cast & credits
composition: Genoël von Lilienstern
direction: Christian Grammel
stage and costume design: Yassu Yabara
dramaturge: Elisabeth Tropper
musical direction: Domonkos Héja
light design: Kai Luczak
assistant to the director and stage manager: Theresa Lydia Seraphin
solists and actors: Kerstin Descher (mezzo-soprano); Georg Festl (bass baritone); Samantha Gaul (soprano); Gerd Lohmeyer; Florian Innerebner
Choir of the Theatre Augsburg, chorus director: Katsiaryna Ihnatsyeva-Cadek
Augsburger Philharmoniker
duration: 110 minutes
Composition commissioned by The City of Munich for the Munich Biennale
A co-production of the Munich Biennale and Theater Augsburg
Sponsored by the Carl Orff Foundation, Dießen am Ammersee
Language: German
further performances: 6th July 2016 and 13th July 2016 - Theater Augsburg, Brecht Bühne
Biographies
Domonkos Héja Musical Direction
While still studying Domonkos Héja founded the symphonic "Danubis-Jugendorchester" and gave numerous concerts in Hungary as well as abroad. Several CD recordings are today documents of his activities at that time and can also be heard on German radio stations (among others, BR Klassik). Domonkos Héja is still associated with the orchestra, which in the meantime is sponsored by the self-government of an old city quarter in Budapest, and he always takes part in the Budapest Spring Festival.
In 1998 he received First Prize at the 9th International Budapest Conductor Competition, a competition sponsored by Hungarian Television – an award that no Hungarian before him had ever won. In addition, already as a 29-year-old he received the renowned Liszt Award, the most important national award for musical achievements in Hungary.
As early as 2001 Domonkos Héja started working at the Hungarian State Opera, and he has been the general music director there since 2012. For what is most likely the most prominent music institution in Hungary, he rehearsed during the past season "Ariadne auf Naxos" by Richard Strauss and Leoš Janacek's "Jenůfa." In addition, Domonkos Héja was the principal conductor from 2005 to 2012 at Theater Chemnitz.
Domonkos Héja's oeuvre also includes – in addition to concertante works, contemporary music, and a broad spectrum of opera repertoire – oratorios, sacral works, and the most important symphonies, ballets, operettas, and musicals. Moreover, he has worked on thematic cycles in French, Slavic, British, Italian, and German music literature, with a focus on the music of Héja's compatriots, ranging from Liszt, Ernö, and Dohnányi to György Ligeti.
Domonkos Héja has been the general music director at Theater Augsburg since the 2015/2016 season.
Kai Luczak Light
Kai Luczak worked initially for six years as the lighting operations manager at Staatstheater Stuttgart before he became lighting designer at the Festival Rossini in Wildbad from 1998 – 2012, where he designed the lighting for productions by Anke Rauthmann; Antonio Petris; and Jochen Schönleber. From 2007 - 2009 he was responsible for the lighting design in the productions of Udo Schürmer and Heinz Trixner at the Schlossfestspiele Ettlingen.
In 2007 Kai Luczak became the lighting operations manager at Schauspielhaus Leipzig, where he worked with Wolfgang Engel; Volker Lösch; Jorinde Dröse; Konstanze Lauterbach; and Jürgen Kruse. Between 2009 and 2012 Kai Luczak was a member of the executive team for lighting design at Schaubühne Berlin am Lehniner Platz, where he worked on productions together with Volker Lösch; Thomas Ostermeier; Patrick Wengenroth; and Friederike Heller. Since 2012 he has been head of the lighting operations department at Theater Augsburg. Here he worked with, among others, the directors Ludger Engels; Lorenzo Fioroni; Patrick Kinmonth; Aron Stiehl; and Peter Konwitschny.
During the 2015/2016 season he is responsible for the lighting design of the opera "The Abduction from the Seraglio" at Landestheater Bregenz, and for the lighting design of the production "Und der Himmel so weit – Ein Ballettabend für Franz Schubert" ("And Heaven's So Vast – an evening of ballet for Franz Schubert" at Oper Graz.
Kerstin Descher Mezzosoprano
The dramatic mezzo soprano Kerstin Descher studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln under Monica Pick-Hieronimi, where she completed her final examinations and graduate recital and graduated with honors. She took master courses under Tom Krause; Brigitte Fassbaender; Irwin Gage; and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and she has a grant from the Richard Wagner Association. Following engagements at Theater Pforzheim from 1998 - 2001 and Theater Vorpommern from 2001 – 2007, she has been a permanent member of the ensemble at Theater Augsburg since the season 2007/2008. She has performed at Staatstheater Hannover; Kölner Philharmonie; Gewandhaus Leipzig; Beethovenhalle Bonn; Kammeroper Rheinsberg; Tiroler Festspiele Erl; Ystad Opern; and Palao di Valencia. Her repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to Nono and her roles include Ulrica; Amneris; Azucena; Preziosilla; Erda; Ottavia; Carmen; and Charlotte. The broadcasters WDR and SWR have documented many of her performances, most recently her interpretation of Waldtaube in Schönberg's Gurre-Lieder.
So far in Augsburg she has performed the roles of the queen in "Schwanda, the Bagpiper"; Suzuki in "Madame Butterfly"; Princess Eboli in "Don Carlos"; Amneris in "Aida"; Leokadja Begbick in "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny"; Brangäne in "Tristan und Isolde"; Countess Geschwitz in "Lulu"; Klytaemnestra in "Elektra"; and Carmen in the opera of the same name. For her achievements she received in 2008 the theater award of the magazine Augsburg Journal.
Georg Festl Bass Baritone
The bass-baritone Georg Festl was born in Nuremberg. He initially studied to become a teacher of music and English before he started studying voice in 2011 at the University of Music Würzburg under Professor Endrik Wottrich. He has worked together with artists such as Professor Christian Elsner; Reinhard Hagen; and with Hans Nieuwenhuis in particular; these collaborations have been a supplement to his education.
While still studying he was a guest performer at Mainfrankentheater Würzburg. It was here that he sang the role of Artie Green in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard." He also sang there the roles of A Cappadocian and Second Nazarene in a production of Richard Strauss' "Salome."
In 2014 he performed, thanks to a grant from the State of Bavaria and the Government of Quebec, several concerts in Montreal. There he participated in "Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyrique." That same year he also received a grant from the Richard Wagner Association.
He sang the bass-baritone roles in opera productions at the University of Music Würzburg, including Count Tomsky in "The Queen of Spades"; Satiro in Luigi Rossi's "Orfeo"; and Ivan in Bohuslav Martinů's "The Marriage." Before he began his studies he worked at Staatstheater Nürnberg as a singer in the extra chorus and as a background actor.
Georg Festl has been working under an apprentice contract at Theater Augsburg as of the season 2015/2016.
Samantha Gaul Soprano
Born in 1992, this soprano initially studied voice under Gabriele Zimmermann before she was accepted in 2009 while still in school as a young talented student into Heidrun Kordes' class at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. She has been studying since 2010 under Professor Hedwig Fassbender. To supplement her education she took master courses under Helmut Deutsch at Sommerakademie Detmold and several chamber music courses conducted by the Landesmusikrat Hesse, as well as the chamber music course conducted by the Deutscher Musikrat.
She received, among other awards, an award as part of the German "Jugend musiziert" competition, and she received special awards from the Walter and Charlotte Hamel Foundation and the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists. Samantha Gaul won Third Prize at the German Voice Competition Berlin (junior). In addition, she has grants from the Richard Wagner Association Frankfurt am Main and the Da Ponte Foundation.
After engagements at Staatstheater Darmstadt; Burgfestspiele Bad Vilbel; and Stadttheater Giessen, Samantha Gaul received an apprentice contract for the season 2014/2015 from Theater Augsburg, where she has sung, among other roles, Jano in Janáček's "Jenufa"; the roles Sandman and Dewman in Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel"; and Serpetta in "La finta giardiniera" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Gerd Lohmeyer Actor
Gerd Lohmeyer was born in 1945 in Würzburg, Germany, and he grew up in Nabburg, Germany. He graduated with a degree in performing arts from the Berlin University of the Arts. Audiences are familiar with him from his work on numerous theater stages (Kammerspiele München; Münchner Volkstheater; Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz; Staatsoper Stuttgart; and since 2001 primarily at Metropoltheater in Munich), as well as in film and television productions (among others, "Rosenheim Cops"; "Cafe Meineid"; "Das große Hobeditzn"; "Der Bulle von Tölz"; "Dahoam is dahoam"). In 2002 he received the Bavarian Theater Award for his performance in "Lucie Cabrol" (Metropol Theater, Munich). He also directed, among other productions, "Nervensäge" (Pfalztheater in Kaiserslautern, 2009); "Der Tiefseetaucher im Felslabyrinth" (Luisenburg-Festspiele, 2008); and "Die wundersame Überquerung der Würm" (Kammerspiele, Munich, 2001). He has also received these awards: Star of the Year for "Er nicht als Er" (2000) from the daily newspaper Abendzeitung, and the Rose of the Year for the piece "Weltuntergang" (1996) and for "Valentin im Sturm" (2013) from the daily newspaper tz. Since 1992 Gerd Lohmeyer has also been working as a lecturer in character development (at, among other institutions, the Bayerische Theaterakademie).
Katsiaryna Ihnatsyeva-Cadek Choir Direction
Katsiaryna Ihnatsyeva-Cadek wurde in Weißrussland geboren. Das Studium am staatlichen Musikkolleg (Fakultät Chordirigieren) und an der „Weißrussischen Staatsakademie für Musik" absolvierte sie 2005 mit Auszeichnung. 2003 gründete sie den akademischen Damenchor „BelajaRusija". Unter ihrer Leitung realisierte der Chor zahlreiche Tourneen und CD-Aufnahmen im In- und Ausland.
Im Jahr 2006 wurde sie als „Beste Dirigentin" des internationalen Chorwettbewerbes für Kirchenmusik in Lapy/Polen ausgezeichnet. Im Anschluss an ihre Ausbildung in Weißrussland folgte ein Studium an der Kunstuniversität in Graz (Chor- und Orchesterdirigieren, Korrepetition). Das Masterstudium Chordirigieren (2009 bei Univ. Prof. Johannes Prinz) und das Bachelorstudium (Orchesterdirigieren 2011 bei Univ. Prof. Martin Sieghart, Korrepetition 2010 bei Prof. Dörner) schloß sie jeweils mit Auszeichnung ab.
Sie war als Korrepetitorin an der Kunstuniversität Graz beschäftigt und arbeitete als Chorassistentin an der Oper in Graz und als Korrepetitorin für den Wiener Singverein. Als Assistenz von V. Fedosejev und als Korrepetitorin war sie bei den Produktionen von „Gogol" (L. Auerbach) und „Johannes Damascenus" (S. Tanejew) tätig. Bei der Produktion 2011 von Don Giovanni (Brucknerfestival in Linz, Ried und Szombathely) arbeitete sie als Korrepetitorin und war Assistentin von Martin Sieghart.
Zahlreiche Auftritte als Dirigentin mit verschiedenen Orchestern der Grazer Musikuniversität (z. B. Einstudierung und Dirigat der Oper Viva La Mamma von G. Donizetti), Choreinstudierungen (Der Vogelhändler) und die Arbeit als Korrepetitorin am Theater an der Wien (Les Contes D'Hoffmann) runden ihre bisherigen Tätigkeiten ab. Sie wurde mit dem 1. Preis beim öffentlichen Abschlußkonzert des „Internationalen Meisterkurses für Orchesterdirigieren - Wien 2012" ausgezeichnet.
Seit der Spielzeit 2012/13 ist sie Chordirektorin am Theater Augsburg und bereitete im Frühjahr und Sommer 2013 den Opernchor u. a. auf die äußerst anspruchsvolle Chorpartie von Intolleranza 1960 vor. In der aktuellen Spielzeit studiert sie den Opernchor für alle Produktionen ein.
