Dresden, 22 January 2024. One of the particular highlights of the 2023/24 opera season is certainly the world premiere of the eagerly awaited opera »Die Jüdin von Toledo«, commissioned by the Saxon State Opera. The score for this extraordinary work of music theatre was written by Detlev Glanert to a libretto by Hans-Ulrich Treichel.
The premiere will take place at the Semperoper on 10 February 2024 in a production by Canadian director Robert Carsen. Jonathan Darlington will conduct a star-studded cast featuring Heidi Stober as Rahel and Christoph Pohl as the King of Castile joined by Lilly Jørstad, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Markus Marquardt and Aaron Pegram.
Loosely based on the historical tragedy of the same name by Austrian dramatist Franz Grillparzer, »Die Jüdin von Toledo« tells of the love affair between King Alfonso VIII of Castile and the beautiful Jewess Rahel in the 13th century during the Spanish Reconquista. In the turbulent city of Toledo, under siege by the Moors, this is a tragic tale of adultery and passion across religious and class boundaries at the end of which »La Fermosa« Rahel and the Jewish religious community fall victim to prejudice and persecution.
The multi award-winning German composer Detlev Glanert was recently named the OPUS Klassik »Composer of the Year« and received the International Opera Award for »Oceane«, a work based on a text by Theodor Fontane, which premiered in Berlin in 2019. Glanert is regarded as one of the most successful creators of new music of recent decades. In »Die Jüdin von Toledo«, the composer undertakes a musical exploration of the three great monotheistic religions. One instrument making its debut in the orchestra pit of the Semperoper will be the oud from the Persian and Arabic musical traditions, here performed by Nassib Ahmadieh, a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.
The Semperoper’s intendant, Peter Theiler, successfully persuaded the internationally sought-after director Robert Carsen to stage the opera. Carsen’s productions have appeared at many of the world’s leading opera houses. The Canadian’s work on »Die Jüdin von Toledo« is, after »Oceane, his second collaboration with Detlev Glanert. The French government named Carsen a »Chevalier des Lettres« in recognition of his artistic achievements.
Post-performance talks on »Die Jüdin von Toledo« will be held on Thursday, 15 February 2024, and – in the presence of the composer – on Monday, 18 February 2024, in the Opernkeller of the Semperoper.
»Die Jüdin von Toledo« (The Jewish Woman of Toledo) by Detlev Glanert
Staging: Robert Carsen
World premiere at 6 pm on Sunday, 10 February 2024, in the Semperoper
Additional performances on 15, 18 & 26 February as well as 1 & 8 March 2024
(Post-performance talks on 15 & 18 February 2024 in the Opernkeller)
Featuring Heidi Stober, Lilly Jørstad and Tanja Ariane Baumgartner as well as Christoph Pohl, Markus Marquardt and Aaron Pegram
The Staatskapelle Dresden will be conducted by Jonathan Darlington. Also on stage: the Saxon State Opera Chorus.
»Die Jüdin von Toledo« (The Jewish Woman of Toledo) has been commissioned by the Saxon State Opera. Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
Tickets can be purchased online as well as from the Schinkelwache box office on Theaterplatz (+49 (0)351 4911 705). A 3D-seating plan can be viewed on the Semperoper’s online ticket shop to aid your choice of tickets and seats in the auditorium.
Please send any requests for review tickets (along with details of the editorial brief and likely publication dates) to presse@semperoper.de.
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Photo: Premiere motif of »Die Jüdin von Toledo« © Martin Perlaki. The motif is part of the artistic concept for the premiere posters 2023/24 with a series of works by Martin Perlaki.