Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Die tote Stadt (The Dead City)
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
21 Aug 2020
A filmic vision of memory and illusion
OPERA IN CONCERT
Admired by Mahler and Puccini, Korngold was only 23 when he composed this mysterious and hallucinatory study of grief, memory, and obsession. Based on a novella by Belgian Symbolist poet Georges Rodenbach, Die tote Stadt (The Dead City) was one of the biggest hits of the 1920s but has rarely been staged since World War II.
Unable to deal with the death of his wife, Paul retreats from the world to live in his memories. When he meets a dancer who bears an uncanny resemblance to his wife, his emotional state rapidly unravels leading to hallucinations.
With vivid, sumptuous music for a massive orchestra, this concert version features the Australian National Music Academy (ANAM) under the baton of internationally renowned conductor Simone Young, and superstar singers Marlis Petersen (currently artist-in-residence at the Berlin Philharmonic) and Michael Schade.
Prefiguring Korngold’s future success in Hollywood as a composer of film scores, Die tote Stadt is a sensual, intense psychological experience floating between illusion and reality.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Friday 21 August 2020, 7.30pm
Running time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, plus one interval
Sung in German with English surtitles
Pre-Show Function
Friday 21 August, 6.30 pm – $55 per person
Book with your subscription or when Single Tickets go on sale from 9 October via our website or call 1300 182 183.
Price reserve maps for this production can be found on our Venue Information page.
Date & Time
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Friday 21 August 2020, 7.30pm
Running time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, plus one interval
Sung in German with English surtitles
Pre-Show Function
Friday 21 August, 6.30 pm – $55 per person
Book with your subscription or when Single Tickets go on sale from 9 October via our website or call 1300 182 183.
Price reserve maps for this production can be found on our Venue Information page.
Cast & Creatives
Composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Librettist Paul Schott
Conductor
Simone Young (ANAM Guest Faculty)
Cast
Paul Michael Schade
Marie/Marietta Marlis Petersen
Brigitta Liane Keegan
Frank-Fritz Samuel Dundas
Lucienne Shakira Dugan
Victorin Carlos E. Bárcenas
Graf Michael Dimovski
Chorus
Australian Boys Choir
Victorian Opera Chorus
Orchestra
ANAM Orchestra
This production is supported by The Robert Salzer Foundation.
The appearance of Marlis Petersen is generously supported by Jane Hemstritch.
ANAM Orchestra and Simone Young are generously supported by Henkell Brothers Investment Managers.
Book Tickets
Choose Your Own (CYO) Subscription Pricing*
| Package Type | Premium | A-Reserve | B-Reserve | C-Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Shows - Save 10% | $143 | $116 | $86 | $35 |
| 3-5 Shows - Save 20% | $127 | $103 | $76 | $35 |
| 6+ Shows - Save30% | $111 | $90 | $67 | $35 |
Single ticket prices $39-$159
| Price Type | Premium | A-Reserve | B-Reserve | C-Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $159 | $129 | $96 | $39 |
| Concession | $149 | $119 | $86 | $39 |
| Senior | $154 | $124 | $76 | $39 |
| 30 Years & Under | N/A | N/A | $49 | $35 |
| Group (6+) | $149 | $119 | $86 | $39 |
| Arts Access | N/A | N/A | $30 | $30 |
*Subscription pricing applies to Full (Adult), Concession and 30 Years and Under ticket buyers. Discount savings are calculated on full-priced Single Ticket prices for 2020. Concession and 30 Years and Under subscription pricing does not apply to Premium seating. Concession subscription prices are available to Pension and Health Care Card holders, full-time Students, MEAA Members, Arts Centre Melbourne Arts Industry Card holders.
Tickets must be purchased in a single transaction as a package. A $8.95 Subscription Processing Fee applies per order. Please allow up to four weeks to have your subscription processed and to receive your tickets. Subscriptions close on Monday 16 March 2020.
If you have any issues booking your subscription online, please phone the Victorian Opera Subscription line on 1300 822 849. You can find information on our Privacy and Ticketing Policies here.
