Komische Oper Berlin "Orpheus"

As the end of the opera season approaches in Berlin (breaking over Summer), the Komische Oper Berlin opened their final revival production on Friday night (23.06.2017): Monteverdi/Kats-Chernin's "Orpheus".

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The production originates from 2012 and was the first production of Barrie Kosky's Intendanz. In fact, it was the first show of his Monteverdi Trilogie: all three Monteverdi Operas performed in one day! It is a very colourful and lively production, with a set resembling the Garden of Eden. 

Care of www.komische-oper-berlin.de / Photo: Iko Freese

Monteverdi's score from 1607 re-tells the classic tale of the singer/musician Orpheus travelling into the underworld (Hades) to rescue his love Eurydice, who was bitten by a snake. Through the guidance of Amor (Love), Orpheus charms the guard to Hades (Charon) by singing him to sleep and continues to the centre and pleads with the God Pluto, to return his love. Pluto accepts, under the condition that Orpheus not turn his gaze towards her while leaving the underworld. As per the myth, Orpheus cannot resist, and not trusting that she is following, Orpheus turns back and Eurydice is lost to the underworld forever. 

Care of www.komische-oper-berlin.de / Photo: Iko Freese

Monteverdi's score has been re-orchestrated and re-imagined by Australian composer, Elena Kats-Chernin (similar to "Poppea" - see blogpost here) and is wonderfully exotic and diverse. Conducted in 2017 by Matthew Toogood, it is quite a difficult production to coordinate musically, as there are five various orchestras positioned around the theatre, and the chorus sings not only onstage, but in true surround sound around the stalls of the auditorium. 

Care of www.komische-oper-berlin.de / Photo: Iko Freese

Reprising the title role is Ensemble Baritone Dominik Köninger, and Kammersänger Peter Renz returns as Amor. All other singers are new to the production: Talya Liebermann as the fated Eurydice, mezzo-soprano Maria Fiselier in two roles as Sylvia and Proserpine, and bass Önay Köse as the guard Charon and the God Pluto. The Chorus of the Komische Oper Berlin are a major part of the opera, as are the dancers and Puppeters. 

With only four more performances, it is worth booking tickets as this show often sells out. 

 

Kaffee in Berlin series: #14 Café Friedrich

Café Name: Café Friedrich

Care of www.cafefriedrichs.com

  
Address: Mierendorffpl. 2, 10589 Berlin

 
Google Maps: Maps

 

Transport (BVG): 
U7 (Mierendorffplatz)  
Bus M27 (Mierendorffplatz)

Website Link: Café Friedrich

Coffee selection: Espresso, Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Milchkaffee, Caffe Latte, Hot Chocolate

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino with extra shot

Cost: €2,50 + €1,00 extra shot

Extra Shot: €1,00

Taste: Satisfyingly strong, full dark body.  

Wait-time: Table service, attentive without being disruptive.

Friendliness of Staff: Polite.

Facilities (Toilets): Yes.

Ambience and Seating: Large outdoor seating area on a street triangle. Inside very spacious and clean.

Dogs allowed inside: NN

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Only when asked for.

Wifi: NN.

Hint: Selection of fresh cakes to accompany coffee will satisfy most German's "Kaffee und Kuchen" requirements. The cheese cake was particularly delicious.

General remarks: I visited at a rather off-peak time, which meant that the Café was almost deserted. However I can imagine that when the University Semester is on, being opposite the UdK (University of Arts) means that it is thriving with University students. 

Score: 8,5 / 10

Kaffee in Berlin series: #13 FILTER

Café Name: FILTER

Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 51, 10178 Berlin

Google Maps: 

 
Transport (BVG): 
U8 (Weinmeisterstrasse)  
Tram M1 (Weinmeisterstrasse)
S5, S7, S75 (Hackescher Markt) 

Website Link: Filer-Berlin

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee

Coffee sampled: Didn't bother

Cost: €3,00 - €3,50

Extra Shot: Any shot...?

Taste: Why waste time. 

Wait-time: None. No customers.

Friendliness of Staff: Polite.

Facilities (Toilets): Yes inside.

Ambience and Seating: Very clean and aesthetically pleasing design, with a nice outdoor courtyard setting to boost enclosed by historically berlin factory brick.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, on tables.

Wifi: Yes.

Hint: There are packages offered for business to use the space for hours or days, and in the mornings a coffee and coissant for passers-by. 

General remarks:I should qualify my tone for this review, as I had not actually taken in (or noticed to be more precise) the name of this place. I actually walk past the sign on the street most days, and what led me to follow it into the courtyard was "Bonanza coffee", which I do like. But when I asked for a cappuccino and was very apologetically informed that they only serve filter coffee, I knew that this place was not for me. Equally at €3,50 for filter coffee (I have great disdain for this trend) I'm afraid my own Bialetti Moka Espresso was beckoning me. Everything else had the potential for a great place, but filter coffee.... no.

Score: 3,5 / 10

Care of www.filterkaffee.berlin