The Grasshopper and the Ant: Modern Interpretation

Kammeropera of Vienna [ENA] "The Grasshopper and the Ant" is a well-known fable by the French writer La Fontaine that has been passed down through generations and had several interpretations. It tells the story of two very different creatures and the different paths they choose in life. The Kammeropera of Vienna brings this fable into a new light of modern reality and discusses the issues of vulnerability and power abuse.

The story goes that a grasshopper spent the summer months singing and dancing, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the bounty of the season. The grasshopper would mock the ant for its industriousness and hard work, as the ant would scurry about, collecting food and preparing for the cold winter ahead. When winter finally came, the grasshopper was left out in the cold and starving, while the ant was cozy and well-fed in its well-stocked home. The grasshopper, realizing the error of its ways, begged the ant for food and shelter, but the ant refused, reminding the grasshopper of its own foolishness and laziness.

The moral of the story is that hard work and diligence are important, and that we must prepare for the future and not squander our resources in the present. It also warns against idleness and the dangers of relying on the kindness of others. "The Grasshopper and the Ant" has been adapted and retold countless times, and its message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first told. The story serves as a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own lives and make wise choices that will benefit us in the long run.

However, Roland Schimmelpfennig and Peter Eötvös bring the story into complete different light. Into the light of vulnerability which can have different causes such as climate change, war, natural disasters and others and then dependency on the mercy of the others. The modern interpretation goes in two parallel worlds - the fable world of the Grasshopper and the Ant and the world of modern exploitation of migrants and vulnerable people. In one case, the Grasshopper asks the Ant for mercy being faced with hunger and cold winter. In another case, a young Chinese migrant is being exploited and abused in the small restaurant The Golden Dragon.

The exploitation of migrants is a complex and widespread problem that occurs all over the world. Migrants are people who move from their home countries to other countries in search of better opportunities, such as employment, education, or safety. While migration can be a positive experience for many people, it can also leave them vulnerable to exploitation. Exploitation of migrants can take many forms. In some cases, employers may hire migrant workers and then pay them below the minimum wage or fail to provide them with basic benefits such as health insurance or paid time off.

In extreme cases, migrant workers may be subjected to forced labor or human trafficking, in which they are coerced into working in abusive conditions and unable to leave. Migrants are often exploited because they are marginalized and lack legal protections. In many countries, migrant workers may not have the same rights as citizens or permanent residents. This can make it difficult for them to report abuse or exploitation, and can also make them more susceptible to coercion and exploitation by unscrupulous employers or labor brokers.

The Golden Dragon is discussing the modern forms of slavery in which individuals are recruited or transported for the purposes of exploitation. This can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation. Victims of human trafficking may be forced to work in a variety of settings, including brothels, massage parlors, and other locations. Modern forms of slavery are still prevalent around the world today, despite the fact that slavery has been officially abolished in many countries. These modern forms of slavery include forced labor, debt bondage, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. These practices affect millions of people around the world, particularly those who are marginalized, poor, or vulnerable.

The main role was virtuously performed by Camilla Saba Davies, the British-Japanese soprano who after her study at the Royal Academy of Music in London already participated in several operas and received several prices and awards. Another role was performed by Felix Heuser, a young bariton from Hamburg who studied by various famous opera professionals and had already several celebrated performances.