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Die Nachtigall

Igor Strawinsky
Libretto by Stepan Stepanowitsch Mitussow, based on the fairy tale “Des Kaisers Nachtigall” by Hans Christian Andersen
in an arrangement by Manfred Trojahn's composition class
For everyone aged 6 and up
Events and Tickets
Illustration of a stylized nightingale from “The Nightingale”: A minimally drawn, bird-like line figure with a round head, a small beak, and long tail feathers stands on thin legs. Its head is slightly tilted upward, as if it were singing. Several black musical notes float beside it. The background features a soft gradient transitioning from warm beige and pink tones to cool light blue.
The Nightingale by Igor Stravinsky © Tim Stadie
Libretto by Stepan Stepanowitsch Mitussow, based on the fairy tale “Des Kaisers Nachtigall” by Hans Christian Andersen
in an arrangement by Manfred Trojahn's composition class
For everyone aged 6 and up
Events and Tickets

Description

At night, a fisherman thinks of the nightingale’s song, which makes him forget everything else. When the nightingale appears, it enchants him with its singing. That same night, an imperial delegation is on its way, sent by the Emperor to bring the nightingale to the imperial court. The nightingale accepts the Emperor’s invitation and appears before his throne. The Emperor has never heard anything more beautiful than the nightingale’s song, which makes him forget all his worries.

The next day, two Japanese envoys arrive at court and present the Emperor with a mechanical nightingale. Everyone is fascinated by this machine, and the real nightingale flies away.

Many weeks later, the Emperor lies dying. Death itself appears before him, and the Emperor calls for music to drive away the dark presence. Only the nightingale hears his cries and triumphs over Death.

This poetic opera has accompanied the Cologne Children’s Opera since its founding: for its opening in 1996, it was arranged into a chamber version by the composition class of Manfred Trojahn. In this production, the work enjoyed many successful performances for young audiences in Cologne. In 2015, the Children’s Opera commissioned a new production, which continues to enchant audiences to this day.

participants

Inszenierung

Bühne

Kostüme

Licht

Dramaturgie

cast

Die Nachtigall

Der Kaiser

Der Tod

Der Fischer & Erster Japanischer Gesandter

Die Köchin

Kammerherr

Höfling

Bonze

Zweiter Japanischer Gesandter

Orchester

Please refer to the respective event listings for the current cast.

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What a sweet song! It touches the heart!

The emperor
Supported by ergobag (FOND OF GmbH)