Organization

Conductor

Hans Hilsdorf

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Alexandra Papadjiakou

Montezuma

Stage director

Herbert Wernicke

Soprano

Gudrun Sieber

Erissena

Tenor

Catherine Gayer

Tezeuco

Countertenor

Walton Grönroos

Ferdinando Cortes

Karl-Ernst Mercker

Narvés

Harpischord

Kevin McCutcheon

Set designer

Costume designer

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Orchestra

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

German

Berlin

Germany

Carl Heinrich Graun (1704–1759) wrote a total of 27 operas for the Berlin court and not least for Frederick II. In 1742 his “Cleopatra e Cesare” was performed at the opening of the “Haus Unter den Linden”, and in 1755 he wrote his most impressive work – “Montezuma”. The opera tells the tragic story of the last ruler of the Aztecs, who lost his power and ultimately his life to the Spanish conquistadores. The libretto, in French prose, was written by none other than the Emperor of Prussia himself – Frederick II – and translated into Italian verse by his court poet. The music, written by his kapellmeister Graun, is as virtuosic as it is expressive – highly rewarding for singers and attractive for audiences. “Montezuma” is an opera that points forward to the future – to Gluck and even to Mozart. In 1982, Deutsche Oper Berlin came to Bayreuth to perform Herbert Wernicke‘s impressive production in the baroque surroundings of the Markgräfliche Opernhaus (opened in 1748).

Montezuma by Graun, From (1982/1982), Directed by Herbert Wernicke,, Conductor Hans Hilsdorf, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues