News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Ecstasy! show poster

Ecstasy! at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

Dates: (2/22/2015 - 2/27/2015 )

Theatre:

Den Norske Opera & Ballett


Kirsten Flagstads pl. 1
Oslo,Østlandet 0150

Phone: +47 21 42 21 21

Tickets: 100.00 NOK - 395.00 NOK

Running Time: 2 hours 1 break

  1. View All Norway Shows
  2.  > 
  3. Ecstasy!


Paul Hindemith's Sancta Susanna describes a young nun's first sexual awakening. The libretto was written by expressionist poet and dramatist August Stramm.

We meet Susanna as she prays before the altar in the convent. She is gradually overwhelmed by the scents and sounds coming in through the chapel window, but also by the sight of her maidservant. Despite cautions from others, Susanna gives herself over: she throws off her veil and rips the loin cloth from the crucifix in front of her, while the nuns, having gathered around her, sing «Satana» in Hindemith's deafening chordal exchanges.

A Florentine Tragedy takes us back to the Renaissance, to the house of Simone, a wealthy Florentine merchant. Returning home, he finds his wife Bianca in the arms of an elegant stranger, Guido. The drama is based on an unfinished fragment by Oscar Wilde, published after the author's death.

In the absence of a first act, Zemlinsky uses a powerful musical introduction to describe what Bianca and Guido have done while Simone was travelling. An intense drama plays out between the three characters, as well as in the music, ending in a murder and a somewhat surprising reversal. To the same music that followed the love scene with Guido, Bianca spins toward her jealous husband, bursting out with: «I had no idea you were so beautiful!»

These two one-act operas are now staged for the first time in Norway. Both are characterised by sensual ecstasy and erotic awakenings, described powerfully through Zemlinsky's and Hindemith's expressive music.

Cast and Creative team for Ecstasy! at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

Music : Paul Hindemith / Alexander Zemlinsky
Libretto : August Stramm / Oscar Wilde
Conductor : John Helmer Fiore
Original title : Sancta Susanna / Eine florentinische Tragödie
Cast :
Sancta Susanna
Lise Davidsen
En gammel nonne
Maija Skille
Klementia
Helena Zubanovich

Videos


MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Job3s (12/6 - 5/11)
VIEW SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You