A spokesperson says---
“...Premiered in 1933, just weeks before Weill fled Nazi persecution, Der Silbersee brims with humor, sharp social critique, and aching lyricism. This allegorical fairy tale, written for a country in the midst of a moral winter, tells the story of Severin, a destitute man shot while stealing a pineapple, and Olim, the policeman whose journey from violence to compassion becomes an act of redemption. At its heart, this deeply human tale asks a question that resonates urgently today: How can we find reconciliation and hope in a fractured world?
...Der Silbersee was Kurt Weill’s final work created in Germany. The political climate was rapidly darkening: the Nazi regime was consolidating power, and Weill – a Jewish composer known for his sharp social critiques – understood that censorship was inevitable. In response, he took a calculated risk, presenting a boldly satirical and politically charged “play with music,” thinly veiled as a surreal winter fairy tale. The gamble was short-lived. Soon after its premiere, Der Silbersee was banned by the authorities, and Weill fled Germany..."
CAST:
Chaz’men Williams-Ali as Severin, and Justin Hopkins as Olim, Ariana Strahl as Fennimore, and Dylan Morrongiello as both The Lottery Agent and Baron Laur. Mezzo soprano Leah Dexter returns to COT as the duplicitous Frau von Luber, and soprano Boya Wei and mezzo soprano Sophia Maekawa are featured as the Shopgirls
CREATIVE TEAM:
Directed by Lawrence Edelson and conducted by James Lowe
