Scala Vienna [ENA] Bruno Max’s Burke & Hare: Eine Ballade über Angebot und Nachfrage is a masterful blend of dark humor, historical intrigue, and biting social commentary. Set in the gritty, fog-laden streets of 1828 Edinburgh, the production brings to life the infamous true story of William Burke and William Hare, two graverobbers-turned-murderers who found a grotesque yet lucrative way to supply corpses to the University’s desperate medical faculty. The result is a black comedy that is as sharp as it is sinister, dissecting not only the ghoulish deeds of its protagonists but also the moral ambiguities of a society willing to overlook evil in the name of scientific progress.   [Full story...]

Chamber Opera of Vienna [ENA] The performance of Combattimenti, featuring Claudio Monteverdi’s timeless Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, was an extraordinary exploration of human emotions, brought to life through a sensitive blend of historical interpretation and modern relevance. Directed by Olivier Fredj, and musically guided by David Bergmüller, this production, which is a collaboration between the Hochschule der Künste Bern, the Mozarteum Salzburg, and the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, was an impressive showcase of young talent that managed to highlight Monteverdi’s genius while also presenting a striking commentary on contemporary issues of conflict and love.   [Full story...]