Take what many consider to be Gustav Mahler’s greatest compositional achievement, give the music a modern-day makeover and bolt on new texts by Syrian writers. Yes, the Neuköllner Oper isn’t afraid to be audacious now and again. New Songs from the Earth, its latest production which premieres this Saturday (15.10.2022), is a modern-day reimagining of Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” (“The Song of the Earth”). Under the guidance of US choreographer and director Sommer Ulrickson, the 1907 symphony has been reworked by the Stegreif Orchester, a group of musicians known for their ballsy reinterpretations of classics. Mahler’s original text for two singers was inspired by classical Chinese poetry, and is full of dark musings on changing seasons, love, longing and despair.
For this version, five Syrian and German women authors redeploy these themes to reflect on their 21st century lives. And this being opera, there’s something to look at, too: the Stegreif musicians aren’t afraid to put on a show with their bold staging and costumes. Mahler was a composer often dismissed by critics as “too modern”. Now, 100+ years later, we think he’d be proud of this daring revival.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Katharina Kücke, Thomas Koy / Graphic: Katja Schlecht, dakato
New Songs from the Earth premieres this Saturday (15.10.2022) at the Neuköllner Oper, Karl–Marx–Str.131/133, 12043 Berlin–Neukölln; map
In German and English with English surtitles
@neukoellneroper
