Saul

Jan Windszus Photography

Jan Windszus Photography

– Jan Windszus Photography

The dramatic oratorio Saul , by George Friedrich Händel, was written within a few weeks, despite his deep psychological and financial crisis at the time. The oratorio is rarely performed with staging in Germany—the same is true of Semele , his other dramatic oratorio—and this large-scale staging will be directed by the Berlin opera and film director Axel Ranisch. The dramatic oratorio Saul , by George Friedrich Händel, was written within a few weeks, despite his deep psychological and financial crisis at the time. The oratorio is rarely performed with staging in Germany—the same is true of Semele , his other dramatic oratorio—and this large-scale staging will be directed by the Berlin opera and film director Axel Ranisch.

After the shepherd David struck down the leader of the Philistines, Goliath, he entered the Israelite court with a stone, considered a victorious hero. King Saul is enthusiastic at first, as are his people – but soon, the king becomes jealous and melancholic, doing everything in his power to get David out of favor. Only David’s harp playing can soothe him. Saul’s son Jonathan, however, stands by David, as does his daughter Michal. But when Saul’s second daughter, Merab, also declares her support for David, the king decides to kill David. But the prophecy warns: Saul's star will fall, while that of the house of David will rise.

From radiantly triumphant choruses, to the prophetic whispering of the ghostly Witch of Endor, to the dignified funeral march–Handel goes to all lengths to do musical justice to the dramatic story of the torn ruler Saul. Director Axel Ranisch uses material from the Old Testament to tell the tragedy of this family, in which the unexpected appearance of a young outsider shakes everyone’s foundations. The voice of the Lord in this story, however, is both a curse and a blessing. [Bertolt Brecht]

By the way The funeral march for King Saul is still played today at numerous state funerals, as it is considered both noble and redemptive.

Artists/Collaborators: Alfred Mayerhofer (Kostüme), Axel Ranisch (Inszenierung), David Bates (Musikalische Leitung), David Cavelius (Chöre), Falko Herold (Bühnenbild), Johanna Wall (Dramaturgie), Michael Bauer (Licht), N.N. (Saul, König Israels), N.N. (David), N.N. (Jonathan, Sauls Sohn), N.N. (Michal, Sauls Tochter), N.N. (Merab, Sauls Tochter), N.N. (Hohepriester), N.N. (Hexe von Endor), N.N. (Geist Samuels), N.N. (Doëg, Diener Sauls), N.N. (Ein Amalekiter), Chorsolisten der Komischen Oper Berlin u. a., Es spielt das Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin.

Runtime: Sat, 27/05/2023 to Sat, 10/06/2023

Next date: Oratorium Von Georg Friedrich Händel - Premiere

Book tickets for this dateOrder online
Show on map

Public transportation

Train (S-Bahn)
Underground
Bus
Tram
Train

All dates and tickets

5 of 5 dates

Similar events

Das Wunder der Heliane – Sara Jakubiak als Heliane Monika Rittershaus
Monika Rittershaus

The Miracle of Heliane

The Miracle of Heliane bears all the hallmarks of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s musical theatre - a huge score and orchestra, intoxicating pathos and exquisitely expressive harmonies that play with polytonality, resulting in a gripping and sensuous drama. more

Next date:
Das Wunder der Heliane
Date:
Thursday, 02/March/2023 19:00 (3 more dates)
Venue:
Deutsche Oper Berlin
Address:
Bismarckstraße 35, 10627 Berlin-Charlottenburg
Price:
from €29.90
Order online
– Jan Windszus Photography
Jan Windszus Photography

Hamlet

William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, a late 19th-century French opera that is as poetic as it is grandiose, takes an intimate look into the inner turmoil of its main characters, Hamlet and Ophélie. Just two weeks after the king dies, the widow Gertrude... more

Next date:
Oper von Ambroise Thomas - Premiere
Date:
Sunday, 16/April/2023 18:00 (7 more dates)
Venue:
Komische Oper Berlin
Address:
Behrenstraße 55, 10117 Berlin-Mitte
Price:
from €63.55
Order online

The help page for the event calendar answers common questions.. Information about coperations and imprint can be found on our page about partners and terms and conditions.