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| Myths are human experiences congealed into fables. Rolf Schneider, expelled from the GDR Writers' Association in 1979, presents the story of Europa and the bull as a dirty joke, a great comical love story, the story of a girl used and discarded by a macho, a defeat with a disastrous outcome. Composer Helge Jörns has clothed the plot in chamber music of an aggressive clarity, developing the – both logical and precise – formal division with exceptional skill out of the dramatic requirements: "Formally, Europa und der Stier comprises four components: firstly, the solo singer, secondly the chorister, [...] thirdly a continuo group [...], and finally the chamber music orchestra [...]. In the overall structure, the individual components either alternate, or they are piled on top of one another, just like the characters on the stage are acting out the scenes at the same time." A thrilling, now already historical, retrospective view of the situation of artists in the GDR of 1988. And an impression of incredible liveliness and intensity, conveyed by this recording of the premiere at the Berlin Hebbel-Theater: this opera is alive, even on CD. |
1CD | Contemporary | Opera | Special Offers |
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| Recommendation |
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Compact acoustic events in Vento d’ombra are pitted against the sharp contrasts of the Due notturni crudeli and the subtle art of the dramatic persiflage in Lohengrin.  |
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| The Lost Cloud Qurartet conducted by Salvatore Sciarrino, the composer himself. |
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| Almost in G: an album composed by Christian Winther Christensen, performed by Scenatet and sincerely recommended by col legno! |
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