Der Sandmann – Opera – in Frankfurt
Der Sandmann as opera in Frankfurt
The expressionistic mad house does not reach our hearts
Hoffmann’s Nathanel: successful writer but only in his dreams. Photo Monika Rittershaus
FRANKFURT/GERMANY: The story of E.T.A. Hoffmann (1816) about the conflict between artistic dream and reality has had a long life
report addresses these issues, not only as isolated health How long does sildenafil last? high or low risk category.
. An opera is the last offspring, following in the footsteps of the Offenbach opera “Les contes d’Hoffmann» and the “Coppelia”-ballet by Delibes.
German writer Thomas Jonigk and the Swiss composer Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini take the story to its extremity, creating an 80-minute long nightmare.
The opera opened first time in Basel four years ago. Now the Oper Frankfurt has taken up the original production.
Freudian dream
The story is inside the head of the ambitious writer Nathanael. He is not able to write a successful novel about the Sandmann (The Great Sleeper). But in his freudian dream everything can happen. His frightful childhood is reawakened, and desires come true.
The issue is the essence of romanticism: a longing so strong that it only can be fulfilled in dream, – and ultimately in death.
Still this expressionistic mad house does not go into our hearts and bones. It stands out as a well conceived entertainment, not without humour, and with exciting transitions between fantasy and reality.
A loving Clara (Agneta Eichenholz) is not able to help the tragic Nathanael (Daniel Schmutzard). Photo Monika Rittershaus
Modernistic
The demanding voice parts jumps up and down in great leaps in this modernistic tone language.
The main role is impressingly taken care of by Austrian barytone Daniel Schmutzhard
.
Also plain speaking and shouting is in the repertory of composer Scartazzini.
He tells the story with a virtuoso orchestration and powerful choruses.
Also the other vocal parts are on an excellent level.
The stage direction and design is dramatic and precise, but with a surprising lack of colors in the mad house.
The Frankfurter audience gave the new opera a warm welcome.
Photo by Torkil Baden
Der Sandmann
Oper Frankfurt September 18th- until October 23rd 2016
Text Thomas Jonigk after E.T.A. Hoffmann
Music Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini
Stage direction Christoph Loy
Design Barbara Pral
Cast:
Nathanael: Daniel Schmutzard
With Agneta Eichenholz, Thomas Piffka, Hans-Jurgen Schopflin and Daniel Miroslaw.
Chorus Oper Frankfurt
Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester
Musical director Hartmut Keil