OVERVIEW

Based on the 1892 novel Bruges-la-Morte (Dead City of Bruges) by Georges Rodenbach (1855-1898)

Libretto by Paul Schott (pseudonym for the composer’s father Julius Leopold Korngold; 1860–1945)

Musical direction by David Švec

Conducted by Jiří Nekvasil

 

The story of the Dead City takes us to the Flemish city of Bruges, where Paul, the main character, has moved to following the death of his young wife. He lives in a city that seems to be as dead as Paul himself. He lives in a house filled with the memories of his beloved yet departed wife Mary. His life takes an unexpected turn after he meets a girl closely resembling his dead wife, a dancer named Marietta. Can this cheerful and lively girl replace Mary? The composer has filled his work with evocative, stunning music; his musical world follows that of his predecessors - the world of late Romanticism and Verismo. Korngold is known as a great melodic creator of colourful musical images, imaginatively and masterfully instrumented. The singing roles of both Paul and Marietta impress with their expressiveness and amaze with their extraordinary complexity. It's the music of big, tense emotions. In the last four decades, Korngold's works, which were meant to be destroyed by the Nazis, along with many other pieces by Jewish composers, are more and more often performed on opera and concert stages. The popularity of the Dead City continues to grow and has been presented at many opera houses in Europe and America. After 100 years since its world premiere the audience in Ostrava also has the opportunity to see this stunning opera!