January 2020
Rodelinda
What makes Handel’s opera Rodelinda - the only baroque opera of the season - such a popular favourite? In arias suffused with grief, bitter yearning and joy, her story speaks to our imaginations and draws us into her dilemma. What would you do, faced with a choice between loyalty and power?
Duration: 3:40 break included
February 2020
Nabucco
Nabucco is a biblical drama in both narrative and scale and was the young Verdi’s breakthrough composition. Perhaps best known for the beautiful chorus of the slaves, this is the first time this beloved opera is being mounted at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Duration: 2:20March 2020
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny is a satirical parable by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht about capitalism running rampant. There are no limits on what’s allowed in Mahagonny, as long as you can pay. Weill’s fusion of classical, jazz and popular tunes makes for a roller coaster musical production.
Duration: 2:45
A song for the moon
Feeling lonely, Mole decides to write a song that will cheer up the moon. Grasshopper rehearses his orchestra until they know the song by heart. Then, one night, they put on a beautiful concert. So why does the moon look so sad afterwards…? Illustration: © 2012 Mance Post
Duration: 1:00April 2020
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny is a satirical parable by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht about capitalism running rampant. There are no limits on what’s allowed in Mahagonny, as long as you can pay. Weill’s fusion of classical, jazz and popular tunes makes for a roller coaster musical production.
Duration: 2:45A song for the moon
Feeling lonely, Mole decides to write a song that will cheer up the moon. Grasshopper rehearses his orchestra until they know the song by heart. Then, one night, they put on a beautiful concert. So why does the moon look so sad afterwards…? Illustration: © 2012 Mance Post
Duration: 1:00
May 2020
June 2020
Rusalka
Dvořák’s Rusalka is about a water nymph who dreams of a life on land, rooted in the tradition of the ‘undine’ as well as the opposition between man and nature. While Rusalka sacrifices almost everything to live as a human with her prince, she ultimately returns to the water utterly disillusioned.
Duration: 3:35
The monster in the maze
In the kingdom of Minos, there lives a fearsome creature: half man, half bull. The king keeps it locked deep inside a maze, feeding it the flesh of his enemies. Now, the king has ordered the city of Athens to sacrifice its youth – its future! – in order to feed the monster of Minos. The young hero Theseus believes that he can defeat the monster, but will he be able to keep his courage in the heart of the maze?
July 2020
The monster in the maze
In the kingdom of Minos, there lives a fearsome creature: half man, half bull. The king keeps it locked deep inside a maze, feeding it the flesh of his enemies. Now, the king has ordered the city of Athens to sacrifice its youth – its future! – in order to feed the monster of Minos. The young hero Theseus believes that he can defeat the monster, but will he be able to keep his courage in the heart of the maze?
