Exactly 200 years after the celebrated premiere of Carl Maria von Webers “Freischütz” at Gendarmenmarkt, La Fura dels Baus  celebrated worldwide for its avant-garde opera productions, will venture deep into the German forest in the Great Hall to deliver an exciting new interpretation of the romantic opera. Huge lengths of tulle around chandeliers, a crane specially brought in, chorus singers with special backpacks that not only symbolise nature-destroying consumer culture, but also fulfil practical functions for the action on stage – Carlus Padrissa will bring an unusual ‘Der Freischütz’ to life in the Great Hall.

A journey to the roots of opera, where myth, history and the current reality of the forest meet. Unfortunately, forests and their entire ecosystems are dying. Climate change and human interference are wiping them out, through heat, droughts, fires, termite infestations and fungal attacks. One-third of Germany is covered by forest, totalling 11.4 million hectares. For centuries, Germans have identified with their forests – in mythological and even spiritual terms. The forests are dying, and with them, so too is part of the German soul. In our new production of Der Freischütz we dig deep into this disturbing socio-ecological theme. In the process, the Great Hall becomes a myth-filled installation.

A special orchestral set-up is planned for the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under Christoph Eschenbach. Most of the music will be played in the stalls, and projectors will display a wide-ranging visual imagery, justified by the dramaturgy. Hwan Kim’s costumes, which are not connected to any particular epoch, are inspired by changes of mood in the music – sometimes they reflect the dark world of Samiel and Kaspar, other times the light world of Max and Agathe.

CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH Conductor

CARLUS PADRISSA – Stage Diector

ESTEBAN MUÑOZ Director

HWAN KIM Costume design

JOSE VAALINA Light design

TAMARA JOKSIMOVIC Set design / Stage design

JEANINE DE BIQUE Soprano

ANNA PROHASKA Soprano

BENJAMIN BRUNS Tenor

CHRISTOF FISCHESSER Bass

FRANZ HAWLATA Bass

VIKTOR RUD Baritone

MIKHAIL TIMOSHENKO Baritone

TIJL FAVEYTS Bass

ISABELLE VOSSKÜHLER Soprano

BIANCA REIM Soprano

CHRISTINA BISCHOFF Soprano

HEIKE PEETZ Soprano

WOLFGANG HÄNTSCH Drama

A journey to the roots of opera, where myth, history and the current reality of the forest meet