The struggles he's facing, the chances he's taking, sometimes might knock him down, but no, he's not breaking: Hans Werner Henze, the greatest living composer (check out the photo above by Ursula Kauffman, he's also one of the world's best dressed men), and probably a Miley Cyrus fan, at 83 he's at work on his next opera that will open in September 2010, after the triumphs of L'Upupa and the otherworldly -- in many ways -- Phaedra (the photo below comes from the 2007 premiere in Berlin directed by Peter Mussbach).
The old master, undefeated by old age and personal tragedy, is hard at work on "Gisela",
Because, in short, 2010 will be the Year Of Henze.an opera commissioned by the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 and the Semperoper opera house in Dresden: "Gisela or: The Strange and Memorable Ways of Good Fortune". The opera will be premièred as a Ruhrtriennale production directed by Pierre Audi. Inspired by the open-to-view stages of industrial venues, Henze is developing a musical work for an ensemble comprising children, young artists, amateurs and professional musicians. The story will be set in Oberhausen and Naples. The plot races ahead to a dark age in the future that lays bare the spells and shocks that have buried the past and the present in these locations.
Wonderful news, what a character Henze is and what a prolific composer. And what range! Please Operachic, go to the premiere and tell us about it. Phaedra's on in London in January, but only a concert performance. (Ainsley though). The Berlin production was brilliant, guess we were both there.
Posted by: Doundou Tchil | October 31, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Bravo! Keep doing it Hans!
Posted by: Sergio | November 02, 2009 at 01:32 AM
The imagery in this post is outstanding! I can't wait for Gisela.
Posted by: Russian Women | June 17, 2010 at 08:41 PM