BY KAREN BOSSICK
“Wozzeck” was a sensation and scandal combined when it premiered at the Saatsoper in Berlin in 1925. And, nearly 100 years later, it has lost none of its power to fascinate, shock and engage audiences.
Sun Valley Opera and Metropolitan Theatres will present Austrian composer Alban Berg’s operatic masterpiece as part of the MET HD series of live opera broadcasts from the New York Metropolitan opera on Saturday.
The broadcast will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Big Wood 4 Cinemas in Hailey. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. for coffee sponsored by Hailey Coffee Company
“Wozzeck” was considered one of the emblematic achievements of artistic forces in Germany and Austria between the World Wars.
The avant-garde style opera is based on the drama “Woyzeck,” which was loosely based on the true story of a wigmaker who became a soldier and in a fit of jealously murdered a widow with whom he had been living.
It explores such themes as militarism and callousness and the dehumanizing effects of military on a young man’s life.
This particular production is in the hands of South African artist William Kentridge. It features Met Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Baritone Peter Mattei stars as the title character, and Soprano Eliza van den Heever plays his unfaithful mate.
Other cast members include Tenor Christopher Ventris, Bass-baritone Christian Van Horn and Tenor Gerhard Siegel.
The Met’s Live in HD series is seen in more than 2,200 theaters in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Next up: George Gershwin’s
Porgy and Bess” on Feb. 1.