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The Bassarids: Komische Oper Berlin

About the Event

Confront the worst excesses of human nature in Barrie Kosky's new production of Hans Werner Henze's stark setting of this ancient tale of demagoguery and populism. Vladimir Jurowski renews his successful partnership with Kosky at Berlin's acclaimed Komische Oper.

Young King Pentheus' reign is threatened by an enigmatic stranger, whose call to worship Dionysus entices the people of Thebes with its promise of unrestrained pleasure. Attempts to stem the tide with reason fail, and Pentheus meets a grisly end, while the stranger reveals himself as the god, and demands unquestioning devotion.

Taking Euripides' 'The Bacchae' as its inspiration, Henze's expansive symphonic style creates an aural panorama against which a battle between reason and instinct rages. Kosky carries this war for supremacy into his production in his inimitable style, including the orchestra in the conflict and confronting head on themes which will seem as relevant to today's audiences as to those of ancient Greece.

Sung in English

Cast / Production

Conductor Vladimir Jurowski
Director Barrie Kosky
Choreographer Otto Pichler
Stage design and costume design Katrin Lea Tag
Dramaturgy Ulrich Lenz
Choirs David Cavelius
Lighting Franck Evin


Dionysus Sean Panikkar
Pentheus Günter Papendell
Cadmos Jens Larsen
Tiresias Ivan Turšić
Captain of the royal guard Tom Erik Lie
Agave Tanja Ariane Baumgartner
Autonoe Vera‐Lotte Böcker
Beroe Margarita Nekrasova

Chorsolisten Komische Oper Berlin
Vocalconsort Berlin

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