Dutch National Opera
Die ersten Menschen
Dates
22 January - 2 February 2025
Location
Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage
Running time
2:00, no interval
Tickets
From € 22
The first family torn between God and worldly pleasure
The first two humans on Earth fell in love. The third human murdered the fourth. Die ersten Menschen tells the story of the first family in the Biblical history of humanity, Adahm, Chawa and their two sons Kajin and Chabel. After performances in the midst of the COVID pandemic, which were highly praised by public and press alike, this ‘rediscovered’ work by Rudi Stephan is now returning to Dutch National Opera in all its glory.
Performance information
Opera in two acts
Sung in German
Libretto Otto Borngräber
Musical direction Kwamé Ryan
Stage director Calixto Bieito
Set designer Rebecca Ringst
Costume designer Ingo Krügler
Lighting designer Michael Bauer
Video designer Sarah Derendinger
Adahm Kyle Ketelsen
Kajin Leigh Melrose
Chawa Annette Dasch
Chabel John Osborn
Ticket prices
Discover ticket prices for each price category by following the link below.
Order tickets
Conductor Kwamé Ryan and soprano Annette Dasch on Die ersten Menschen
The revival of Die ersten Menschen will see conductor Kwamé Ryan and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra tackle this electrifying score for the first time. Soprano Annette Dasch will return to the DNO stage after performing this opera in 2021 during the pandemic.
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is renowned around the world for the intensity of its concerts. Since it was founded in 1918, the orchestra has had various acclaimed chief conductors, including Edo de Waart, James Conlon, Valery Gergiev and Yannick Nézet-Séguin (now the honorary conductor), and it has acquired a place among Europe’s most respected orchestras. The orchestra is building on this tradition under the leadership of its current chief conductor, Lahav Shani. In previous seasons, the orchestra has performed Salome, Messa da Requiem and La traviata, among other works, at Dutch National Opera. Season 2024-2025, the orchestra will be tackling Rudi Stephan’s Die ersten Menschen.