Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Music-drama in one act, original production for the Birgitta Festival (Estonia/Belgium/Germany/Latvia/...
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Music-drama in one act, original production for the Birgitta Festival
(Estonia/Belgium/Germany/Latvia/France)
Production and concept: Joël Lauwers (Belgium)
Conductor: Mihhail Gerts (Estonia/Germany)
Drama actors:
Uku Uusberg (Estonian Drama Theatre)
Mireille Mossé (France)
and others
Requiem soloists:
Yuka Yanagihara (soprano, Germany)
Helen Lokuta (mezzo-soprano, Estonian National Opera)
Thomas Volle (tenor, Germany)
Simon Robinson (bass, Germany)
State Choir Latvija (Latvia)
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
It is known that Mozart died at the age of 35 while working on this piece, having just written the first eight bars of Lacrimosa, until the words “mournfully be that day”. His Requiem, which became his own funeral mass, is surrounded by mystic legends. As such, it has also inspired many other works of art. In completing the unfinished Requiem, Mozart’s student Süssmayr, as well as the 20th century music historians Levin and Beyer, have been looking for the spirit of the genius. On the initiative of the conductor Mihhail Gerts, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, State Choir Latvija and four brilliant soloists will perform a unique arrangement of Mozart's Requiem, put together from different versions.
The work of the Belgian stage director Joël Lauwers mixes tradition with avant-garde. Lauwers, who grew up in the family of musicians, has created productions in numerous places, from Brussel’s glamorous La Monnaie to exotic Japan. Whether it is the music of Mozart or Offenbach, Richard Strauss or Bizet, Lauwers is something for the contemporary elegant taste. We are happy to introduce him to Estonian audiences too, bringing one of the most beautiful works in the world’s history of music between the walls of Pirita monastery.
The complete theatrical performance of Mozart’s Requiem is a part of an expressive drama. Uku Uusberg plays the protagonist, a contemporary photographer, with the French actress Mireille Mossé in the supporting role. The verbal part of the stage production (in Estonian) is fully composed of Mozart’s letters where he discusses practical and daily matters. These are sometimes humorous, sometimes dead serious letters to his close ones. Although the genre relates to death and mourning, the music of Requiem also exudes lightness and love.
Estimated run time 1 hour 40 minutes (no intermission)
