Name: Oedipus
Start: 1987-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
End: 1987-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Deutsche Oper Berlin

Organization

Conductor

Christof Perick

Stage director

Götz Friedrich

Set designer

Andreas Reinhardt

Costume designer

Video designer

Brian Large

Singer

Andreas Schmidt

Oedipus

William Peel

Kreon

Lenus Carlson

Bote, messenger

Emily Golden

Jokasta

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Orchestra

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Berlin

Germany

Libretto by Wolfgang Rihm after Friedrich Hölderlin’s translation of Sophokles “Oedipus der Tyrann” and texts by Friedrich Nietzsche and Heiner Müller As one of the most versatile and best-known contemporary German composers, Wolfgang Rihm has always impressed and shocked with the powerful expressiveness of his music. And his “Oedipus”, originally commissioned by the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1987 has lost nothing of its musical impact over the years. Rihm’s opera – in an impressive production by the intendant and principal director at the time, Götz Friedrich, with baritone Andreas Schmidt (at the start of his international career) in the title role – was praised by audiences and critics alike. Schmidt was subsequently not only much in demand as a performer of the classical repertoire and a lieder recitalist but also gained a reputation for his interpretations of works by other contemporary composers ranging from Hans Werner Henze to Peter Ruzicka. The literary figure of Oedipus – the man who unknowingly killed his father and fathered four children with his mother, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle – is a staple of western culture. The process by which he develops towards eventual recognition of his guilt is a painful one. In the end, Oedipus punishes himself in a theatrical gesture by gouging out his eyes. With its exploration of the theme of guilt and responsibility it is a legend that never fails to fascinate – and is ideal material for the operatic stage.

Oedipus Rihm

Public

Approved

Accordionist

Instrumentalist

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Bassist

Bassoonist

Cellist

Clarinetist

Contrabassist

Cornettist

Flutist

Guitarist

Harper

Harpsichordist

Hornist

Lutenist

Mandoline Player

Musette de cour Player

Oboist

Organist

Percussionist

Pianist

Recorder Player

Saxophonist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Trombonist

Trumpeter

Tuba Player

Vibraphonist

Viola Pomposa Player

Viola da gamba

Viola d’amore Player

Violinist

Violino Piccolo Player

Violist

Actor

Broadcasting

Choir

Choreographer

Chorus Director

Chorus master

Composer

Dancer

Dramaturge

Executive producer

Extra

Hairstylist

Illustrator

Librettist

Lighting designer

Makeup artist

Orchestra Operations

Other

Photographer

Poet

Repetiteur

Sound designer

Stage Manager

Teacher

Translator

Vocal coach

Wig & Makeup Designer

Writer

Writing and performance

Mezzo-soprano

Countertenor

Tenor

Baritone

Bass-baritone

Soprano

Bass

Contralto

Alto

Child vocalist

Continuo

Silent

Spoken

Watch full performance here: Oedipus (1987)

Oedipus - Preview clip

Oedipus by Rihm, Thu 01 Jan 1987, From (1987/1987), Directed by Götz Friedrich,, Conductor Christof Perick, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Programme, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues