Morgen und Abend
A work of quietly mesmerizing beauty
Royal Opera House
November 2015
Deutsche Oper Berlin
April 2016
Co-commissioned by the Royal Opera House (London) and Deutsche Oper (Berlin), John Fosse and Georg Friedrich Haas’ new opera Morgen und Abend deals with the two universal experiences: the journey into life through birth and the journey into death. Haas’ complex musical soundscape, brought to life by the performance’s conductor, Michael Boder, explores the emotions and mystery of these events.
Directed by Graham Vick, Morgen und Abend invites you into a stark but beautifully grey world created by Tony award winning designer Richard Hudson, where Johannes comes to terms with his death and his daughter, Signe, mourns him while resolving her guilt.
59’s role as video designers was to incorporate the opera’s text into the set, using delicately timed and graceful animation to surtitle the German lyrics of the show as well as add to this otherworldly experience.
The world premiere of Morgen und Abend took place on Friday 13th November 2015.
Selected Reviews
“Richard Hudson’s designs for Graham Vick’s production suggest a conceptual-art installation, as a chair, a wardrobe, a door, a bed, and a rowing boat circle the stage at a glacial pace; everything including the characters is covered in dusty grey light … anyone wanting an operatic experience like no other should seize this chance.”
“The transition from Morgen to Abend – morning to evening; birth to death – is magical and sumptuous, one major chord swooping atonally into another, then on again, as the years of Johannes pass.”
“a world premiere of which the Royal Opera and its Director of Opera Kasper Holten can be proud.”
“A work of quietly mesmerizing beauty, “Morgen und Abend” shows how simple narrative can be invested with profound significance and beauty.”
CREDITS
Composer
Georg Friedrich Haas
Librettist
Jon Fosse
Conductor
Michael Boder
Director
Graham Vick
Designer
Richard Hudson
Lighting Designer
Giuseppe di Iorio
Video Design
59 Productions
59 TEAM
Creative Assistant
Raphael Pimlott
Animators
Joseph Pierce
Nick Corrigan
Junior Animator
Alex Nechifor
Technical Associate
Maximilien Spielbichler
Design Intern
Matthew Taylor