Music Theatre since 1990 - Schott Music

Volker David Kirchner · Photo: Peter Andersen
Synopsis
Errors and confusion in a shimmering summer night: Oberon, the king of the fairies, and his
queen Titania have fallen out with each other and are living apart but in the same forest near
Athens.
In the same location, two pairs of lovers have
lost their way: Helena who loves Demetrius
who loves Hermia who loves Lysander who
loves Helena … A plot with great potential
for complications. Oberon feels sorry for the
lovers – the magic flower belonging to his
servant Puck should help to solve all problems.
This however has the opposite effect as
Puck’s magic causes the person to fall in love
with the first creature he or she sees! Thus
Titania suddenly regards the simpleton Bottom
with the ass’s head as the god of love.
In addition, there is the troupe of craftsmen
who rehearse the play ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’
for the wedding of Theseus and thereby initiate
further confusion. The midsummer night
becomes a labyrinth of encounters and emotions;
in culmination, Oberon and Titania are
confronted with utter chaos.
“The musicality of Shakespeare’s language in the German translation by Schlegel proved to be a
great inspiration for the composer […] Kirchner leaves the speech melody unaltered and intervenes
as a commentator. […] He adds colour which appears to influence the events taking place, almost
giving the impression that the composer has stepped into the playwright’s shoes, identifying himself
with Shakespeare. Kirchner never breaks with tradition, but incorporates it consciously into his
music.” (Das Orchester 02/1998)
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