Markus Stenz conducts Weill at Dutch National Opera

This year marks Kurt Weill’s 120th birthday, and the 90th anniversary of the premiere of his final collaboration with the playwright Bertolt Brecht. On that occasion, Markus Stenz will be conducting Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny with the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam (premiere on March 16, 2020), and he believes there is more to it than simply nostalgia. “I do think the piece is incredibly relevant in our times. The subject themes are as present today as they were back then, and I’m fully expecting the production to hit that chord. There’s no way you can do an historic version and not be aware of the bridge between our times.”

Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny is a satirical parable by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht about capitalism running rampant. There are no limits on what’s allowed in Mahagonny, as long as you can pay. Weill’s fusion of classical, jazz and popular tunes makes for a roller coaster musical production.

> read the whole detailed article at bachtrack

> more information about the production and performance dates at the Dutch National Opera