Fearless musical theater, according to Komische Oper founder Hans Gregor, is “art without convention, prejudice or vanity”. Known for punk, pageantry, classics and class, the Mitte opera institution is moving its stage to the former Kindl brewery in Neukölln for the first time this February (17–26.02.2023). Under the artistic direction of Rainer Simon, the first annual Schall&Rausch (“sound and noise”) festival for musical theater will bring bass, beats and stroboscopes that shake up the structures and concepts of the classical form. Across venues including Schwuz, Kindl and Vollgutlager, the diverse and interdisciplinary program encompasses performance, concert, pop, experiment and dance. Amateurs and professionals from all over the world will shape the program, including established institutions such as William Kentridge’s “Centre for the Less Good Idea”, international artists such as Tianzhuo Chen and music ensembles like Baroque Prince, whose chamber concert blends pop and baroque (think Benjamin Britten meets Björk). This first edition of the festival provides a preview of what is to come, both for the musical theater form and the Komische Oper itself. The program marks the start of a series of citywide performances that we can look forward to all year.
Text: Hilka Dirks / Photos: Oumou Aidara, Jaro Suffner & Camile Blake
Schall&Rausch (17–26.02.2023). Find the whole program and tickets here.
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