This Wolf Trap Opera premiere and new production was presented at The Barns at Wolf Trap in June 2019. Special thanks to Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, 2019 Wolf Trap Opera Season Underwriters, and Ed and Andy Smith, 2019 Performance Sponsors.
Music by Viktor Ullmann
Libretto by Peter Kien
A mad emperor declares universal war against everyone and offends Death. The result is a chaotic world in which the living no longer laugh, the dying no longer die, and life and death have lost their meaning. This daring satire was written while Ullmann was interned in the Nazis’ Terezín ghetto and examines the arrogance of unstoppable power and humanity’s resilience. This controversial and brilliant opera is full of humor and poignancy, with music that ranges from blues and German folk tunes to a Bach chorale.
Synopsis
Artist Bios
The Emperor of Atlantis, or Death’s Refusal by Paula Kennedy
Cast in Order of Vocal Appearance
Loudspeaker - Daniel Noyola
Harlekin - Joshua Blue
Death - Anthony Robin Schneider
Drummer - Megan Esther Grey
Emperor Overall - Ben Edquist
Soldier - Victor Cardamone*
Girl with the Bobbed-Hair - Shannon Jennings
*Studio Artist
Conductor - Geoffrey McDonald
Director - Richard Gammon
Choreographer – Elizabeth Coker
Scenic Designer - Julia Noulin-Mérat
Costume Designer - Jonathan Knipscher
Lighting Designer - Robert H. Grimes
Wig & Makeup Designer – Anne Nesmith
Cover Conductor – Andrew Crooks
Musical Preparation - Andrew Crooks, James Maverick
Assistant Director - kt shorb
Production Stage Manager - Madeline Levy
Assistant Stage Manager - Savannah Valigura
Supertitle Coordinator - Thomas Morris