SummerScape Opera July 26 – August 4
The Miracle of HelianeBy Erich Wolfgang Korngold
New Production / U.S. PremiereThe American Symphony OrchestraConducted by Leon BotsteinDirected by Christian Räth
July 26, 2019
SummerScape Opera July 26 – August 4
July 26, 2019
Set in an unnamed totalitarian state, The Miracle of Heliane (Das Wunder der Heliane) features an intricate, erotic triangle between a ruthless despot, The Ruler; his beautiful and neglected wife, Heliane; and a young, messianic Stranger. An allegorical tale, about the destruction of a dictatorship by a woman, Heliane premiered to great acclaim in Hamburg in 1927, and remains extraordinarily relevant today. This new production is directed by Christian Räth, with sets and costumes by Esther Bialas, both making their SummerScape debuts. The consistently excellent cast includes the stunning Lithuanian soprano Ausrine Stundyte in an all-too-rare U.S. appearance alongside rising star tenor Daniel Brenna, and the heralded bass-baritone Alfred Walker.
Estimated run time is 3 hrs 15 minutes, plus two 20-minute intermissions.