„Sirenen“ : Taschenopernfestival aus Salzburg feiert Premiere in NRW
The 10 multinational members of New Music Ensemble Garage are bringing a complete Pocket Opera Festival to Cologne,Solingen and Gelsenkirchen!
4 young composers address one theme, varying in their artistic approach.
The name “Pocket Opera” is deceptive ; the performances are actually one-act pieces from New Music Theatre in Austria , presented for the first time this summer in a Festival in 3 german cities, in cooperation with Klang21, who developed this concept and have used it successfully under different headings in Salzburg since 2005.
The inspiration in this festival for the four composers is the “sirens” chapter, (based on Homer ́s “Odessy”) from “Ulysses” by James Joyce, one of the least conventional novels of all time. Joyce unlocks with musical form, onomatopoeia, sound, pictures and song-quotes the power of our basic instincts, yearnings and fears. The musical centre features the seductive, enticing and yet ruinous sirens, interpreted in completely different ways-
“Bronze by Gold ” by Brigitta Muntendorf, “The End of the Song” by Wen Liu, “Defect “by Sarah Nemtsov and “Rinn ” by Ann Cleare. Four different representations of a literary template.The theme, originally mythological, is transported into the present day and converted into mini-operas containing the essence of music-theatre.
Thierry Bruehl, initiator of the Salzburg Festival, is the general artistic director, as well as the director of the works by Muntendorf and Liu.Brigitta Muntendorf is sponsored by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation and Lecturer for Composition at the Siegen University. She lives and work
s as a freelance composer and artistic director of Ensemble Garage in Cologne and Vienna. Bronze by Gold von Brigitta Muntendorf, The End of the Song von Wen Liu, D
Performance Details and Tickets
22.05.2016 SIRENS
Chamber Music Hall German Radio
Excerpts from the pocket Opera Festival 2016 featuring two Mini-Operas by Sarah Nemtsov and Brigitta Muntendorf as well as an instrumental interlude by Natalia Solomonoff
14.06.2016 Reading : Christian Brückner
Solingen ́s cultural management present a reading from James Joyce ́s 
“Ulysses” as the opening of the pocket opera festival. Expect a thrilling presentation of the “sirens” chapter, before attending the musical interpretation by 4 composers on Saturday June 18th. a linguistic and auditory treat, read by Christian Brückner known for example as the german voice-over artist for Robert De Niro.
Tuesday,14.June
7.30pm, Theatre and Concert House Solingen
18.06.2016 SIRENS
7.30pm Theatre Solingen
Pocket Opera Festival 2016 with Works by Ann Cleare, Wen Liu, Sarah Nemtsov and Brigitta Muntendorf. For 12 Musicians, 4 Actors, 6 Singers and Boys ́ Choir.
Directors: Thierry Bruehl, Ernst M. Binder & Kristof Georgen
24.06.2016 SIRENS
7.30pm Theater im Revier Gelsenkirchen
Pocket Opera Festival 2016 with Works by Ann Cleare, Wen Liu, Sarah Nemtsov and Brigitta Muntendorf with works by Elena Rykova, Raphael Cendo and Manos Tsangaris.. For 12 Musicians, 4 Actors, 6 Singers and Boys Choir.
Directors: Thierry Bruehl, Ernst M. Binder & Kristof Georgen
Kammermusiksaal des Deutschlandfunks, Raderberggürtel 40, 50968 Köln