Blog

Düsseldorf | 2023

Matinee: “Worin unsere Stärke besteht!”

Living Without Fear

Join us for a captivating matinee event, where we explore the powerful collaboration between Bertolt Brecht and Hanns Eisler. Experience an enriching performance that delves into the essence of their work, brought to life by a group of exceptional artists.

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023
  • Time: 11:00 AM (Doors open at 10:45 AM)
  • Venue: zakk
  • Ticket Price: €10 (Includes a light breakfast)

Featuring:

  • Rolf Becker (Recitation)
  • Frances Pappas (Vocal)
  • Gerd Folkerts (Concept and Piano)

The Essence of Brecht and Eisler:

For nearly three decades, Bertolt Brecht and Hanns Eisler’s collaboration remained unbroken, even in exile. Hanns Eisler set more than 200 Brecht texts to music. Much like Brecht, Eisler believed that political thinking was an individual’s awareness of their own circumstances. Thus, their content was deeply influenced by the historical context of their time. The program includes texts and songs that emerged during the Weimar Republic, in exile in Denmark and the United States, and after 1948 in the German Democratic Republic.

This matinee event promises to be a profound exploration of their enduring partnership, showcasing the poetry and music that has left an indelible mark on history.

Ticket Information:

Secure your tickets at Ticket Link

Organized by Heinrich-Heine-Salon e.V. and zakk

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Bertolt Brecht and Hanns Eisler and discover “Worin unsere Stärke besteht!” We look forward to sharing this cultural journey with you. Get your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary matinee.

Chania | 2023

Bertolt Brecht and Hanns Eisler: In diesem Lande und in dieser Zeit

We are delighted to invite you to an extraordinary musical and poetic journey, featuring the works of two artistic giants, Bertolt Brecht und Hanns Eisler. Join us for a memorable evening of music and verse, where Frances Pappas’s captivating vocals and Gerhard FoIkerts’s masterful piano artistry will transport you to a world of profound emotions.

Frances Pappas – Gesang:
Frances Pappas, known for her enchanting and expressive singing, will interpret the thought-provoking and often politically charged lyrics of Bertolt Brecht. With her powerful voice and deep understanding of the material, Frances brings Brecht’s words to life in a truly captivating manner.

Gerhard FoIkerts – Klavier:
Gerhard FoIkerts, an accomplished pianist with a deep appreciation for Hanns Eisler’s compositions, will accompany Frances with his virtuosic piano skills. His nuanced interpretations of Eisler’s music will add depth and dimension to the performance.

In diesem Lande und in dieser Zeit:
The title “In diesem Lande und in dieser Zeit” (In this land and in this time) is not just a mere phrase. It embodies the spirit of the works of Brecht and Eisler, who were both renowned for their commitment to addressing the social and political issues of their era through their art. This performance aims to capture the essence of their collaboration and its impact on the world of music and literature.

Join us at the Goethe Institut Chania, Crete, and immerse yourself in the words and melodies of Bertolt Brecht und Hanns Eisler. This event promises to be a profound and moving experience, one that will leave a lasting impression on all who attend.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the convergence of poetry, music, and history. We look forward to sharing this inspiring evening with you. Reserve your seats now and be part of this musical and literary journey through time. (Link for tickets coming soon)

The Sound of Music | Rerun 2023/24

As of December 2023, at the Salzburger Landestheater

In December 2023, the iconic musical “The Sound of Music” is making a grand return to the stage at the Salzburger Landestheater. More than a decade since its debut in Salzburg back in October 2011, a production that captivated audiences worldwide, this heartwarming tale of love between Baron von Trapp and Maria, the governess to his children, is back, featuring Patrizia Unger as “Maria”, Franziska Becker as “Elsa Schrader” and Frances Pappas as “Mutter Oberin”.

Cast:

Musical Director | Wolfgang Götz
Director | Andreas Gergen, Christian Struppeck
Choreography | Kim Duddy
Stage and Costume Design | Court Watson

Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg

©Helge Bauer – The Sound of Music

Mahler Musikwochen | 2023

“Gustav Mahler Musikwochen 2023: A Musical Journey in Toblach”

We are excited to announce an extraordinary evening of music at the Gustav Mahler Musikwochen 2023 in Toblach. Join us on Tuesday, July 25th, at 6:00 PM in the enchanting Gustav-Mahler-Saal for a remarkable performance featuring the El Cimarrón Ensemble and Die Blechzinnen.

Junge Komponierende und Gustav Mahler in Toblach

This year’s program promises to be a unique blend of the old and the new. As we pay homage to the musical legacy of Gustav Mahler, we also celebrate the creativity of young composers. Frances Pappas, the captivating Mezzosopran, will grace us with her enchanting voice.

Featuring:

  • El Cimarrón Ensemble
  • Die Blechzinnen
  • Frances Pappas, Mezzosopran
  • Clemens Heil, Dirigent

An Evening of Musical Exploration:

We are thrilled to introduce new works by the talented composers Sebastiano Beozzo, Leonardo Castellani, Anna Dobrucka, Giuseppe Gammino, Haruki Noda, Bernhard Plechinger, Sharleen Revia, and Ramsey Sadaka. These emerging artists will take you on a journey of innovation and creativity, all within the inspirational surroundings of Toblach, a place that deeply resonated with Gustav Mahler himself.

Venue:

Gustav-Mahler-Saal, Toblach

The Sound of Music | Klagenfurt 2023

Starting May 11th, Theater Klagenfurt presents the highly acclaimed musical “The Sound of Music” in cooperation with the Salzburger Landestheater

The show tells the captivating love story of Baron von Trapp and Maria, who becomes the governess to his children. This production marks the first time the musical has been presented at Theater Klagenfurt, bringing the timeless story to life with a fresh cast. Don’t miss your chance to experience this beloved classic on stage, live from May 11th at Theater Klagenfurt.

Cast:

Musical Director | Günter Wallner
Director | Andreas Gergen, Christian Struppeck
Choreography | Kim Duddy
Stage and Costume Design | Court Watson

Kapitän Georg von Trapp | Erwin Belakovitsch
Maria Rainer | Patrizia Unger

Mutter Oberin | Frances Pappas
Elsa Schrader | Franziska Becker
Max Dettweiler | Michael Duregger

➙ full cast and production details

Damenchor des Stadttheaters Klagenfurt
Singakademie Carinthia
Statisterie des Stadttheaters Klagenfurt

Kärntner Sinfonieorchester

Stadttheater Klagenfurt/Helge Bauer The Sound of Music

Granaten und Gewehrsalven im kitschbefreiten “Sound of Music”

Bluebeard’s Castle / De Temporum Fine Comoedia | 2022

CARL ORFF • DE TEMPORUM FINE COMOEDIA

Premiere July 26th, 2022 | Felsenreitschule | Salzburg Festival 2022



The Play of the End of Times — Vigilia (Final version 1981)
Libretto by Carl Orff using passages from the Sibylline Oracles and the Orphic Hymns

In Ancient Greek, Latin and German with German and English surtitles

Supported by the Carl-Orff-Stiftung

Salzburg Festival 2022
Sung in French with German and English surtitles

PERFORMANCE DATES

CREATIVE TEAM

Teodor Currentzis – Conductor 

Romeo Castellucci – Director, Sets, Costumes and Lighting 

Cindy Van Acker – Choreography 

Piersandra Di Matteo  – Dramaturgy 

Theresa Wilson Associate  – Costume Designer

Maxi Menja Lehmann – Assistant Director

Alessio Valmori – Assistant Set Designer

Marco Giusti Associate – Lighting Designer

CAST

Nadezhda Pavlova – Soprano

Taxiarchoula Kanati, Frances Pappas, Irini Tsirakidis – Mezzosoprano

Helena Rasker – Contralto

Gero Nievelstein, Christian Reiner – Speakers

Soloists of the musicAeterna Choir

ENSEMBLES

Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester

musicAeterna Choir

Bachchor Salzburg

Salzburger Festspiele und Theater Kinderchor