Apocalyptic music theater: Cologne's opera complains to mankind!

Apocalyptic music theater: Cologne's opera complains to mankind!

Staatenhaus Köln, Auenweg 17, 50679 Köln, Deutschland - The Cologne Opera becomes a stage of a dark reflection on humanity and its abysses. On June 27, 2025, the premiere of Philippe Manoury's new "Thinkspiel" work, an adaptation of Karl Kraus' "The last days of humanity" took place here. In view of the current wars and conflicts, the staging receives a deeper, almost apocalyptic dimension that the audience takes on a journey through the horrors of the war, such as the Stadt-Anzeiger describes in detail.

The adaptation comprises 219 scenes, which are interwoven through music, drama and video projections. The direction of Nicolas Stemann and the musical direction of Peter Rundel ensure a haunting evening that is both disturbing and thoughtfully. "Thinkspiel" addresses the dehumanization and brutality that the war brings with it. By combining dark music from the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and expressive representations, the audience is relocated to the horror of 1914. The characters "The Optimist" and "The Naggers", 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 cooperation with the IRCAM electronics team from France and the digital production is subject to 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 the present are made noticeable. The urgent music combines acoustic with electronic sounds and places a special focus on the emotional effect within the staging that captivates the audience.

The first part is divided into a prologue and five acts, all of which shed light on the course of the events from July 1914. A special highlight is the angel of the story "Angelus Novus", made alive through the voice of Anne Sofie by Otter. In the second part, the dehumanization by the war impressively addressed and visualized with videos by Claudia Lehmann and Konrad Hempel, which depict the extent of military power and destruction.

war reporting in context

The staging could not be more up -to -date. As can be seen in many reports on war reporting, media reporting plays a crucial role in perception and reactions to current conflicts. The change in security reporting since the Thirty Years' War up to the Iraq war shows how deeply the media can intervene in security policy decisions, as the Federal Center for Political Education

In this regard, "Think Spiel" is not only a nostalgic review, but also a critical comment on modern war reporting and its influence on public opinion. The painful reflection on humanity and the reminder for peace, embodied by the voices of the "unborn children", leave deep impression. In the end there is no conclusion, but an invitation to the intellectual and emotional examination of the past and the present.

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