Apocalyptic musical theater: Cologne's opera accuses humanity!

Apocalyptic musical theater: Cologne's opera accuses humanity!

The Cologne Opera becomes the stage for a dark reflection on humanity and its abysses. On June 27, 2025, the premiere of Philippe Manoury's new work "Thinkspiel", an adaptation of Karl Kraus' "The Last Days of Mankind", took place here. Given the current wars and conflicts, the production takes on a deeper, almost apocalyptic dimension that takes the audience on a journey through the horrors of war Cologne City Gazette described in detail.

The adaptation includes 219 scenes, which are interwoven through music, acting and video projections. The direction by Nicolas Stemann and the musical direction by Peter Rundel ensure a haunting evening that is both disturbing and thought-provoking. “Thinkspiel” addresses the dehumanization and brutality that war brings with it. Through the combination of dark music by the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and expressive performances, the audience is transported back to the horrors of 1914. The characters “The Optimist” and “The Complainer,” played by Patrycia Ziolkowska and Sebastian Blomberg, illustrate the contradictions and hopelessness of the time.

A musical experiment

The stage work is not only thematically relevant, but also a technical masterpiece. The collaboration with the electronics team at IRCAM from France as well as the digital production is under the creative hand of Carlo Laurenzi. These innovative elements ensure that younger generations are also addressed and the brutal realities of wars of the past and present are made tangible. The haunting music combines acoustic and electronic sounds and places a special focus on the emotional impact within the production, which captivates the audience.

The first part is divided into a prologue and five acts, all of which shed light on the events from July 1914 onwards. A special highlight is the angel in the story “Angelus Novus”, brought to life by the voice of Anne Sofie von Otter. In the second part, the dehumanization caused by war is impressively discussed and visualized with videos by Claudia Lehmann and Konrad Hempel, which vividly depict the extent of military power and destruction.

War reporting in context

The production couldn't be more current. As many accounts of war reporting demonstrate, media coverage plays a crucial role in perceptions and responses to contemporary conflicts. The change in security reporting from the Thirty Years' War to the Iraq War shows how deeply the media can intervene in security policy decisions like this Federal Agency for Civic Education explained.

In this respect, “Thinkspiel” is not only a nostalgic look back, but also a critical commentary on modern war reporting and its influence on public opinion. The painful reflection on humanity and the admonition for peace, embodied by the voices of the “unborn children”, leave a deep impression. In the end there is no conclusion, but rather an invitation to intellectual and emotional engagement with the past and present.

The remaining performances will take place on June 29th and July 4th, 6th and 9th, 2025 in the Staathaus Cologne. An experience not to be missed.