Storyline
Ernst Krenek's theatrical piece Karl V. consisting completely of twelve-tone series should have premiered at the Vienna State Opera. The political situation in the Vienna of 1933 and the fact that Krenek was despised by the Nazis because of this Jazz opera Jonny spielt auf, prevented the première. It only took place five years later in Prague, however Krenek had already emigrated to the USA. Karl V was the last emperor to hold to the idea of a Christian empire in which the sun never set, although its downfall was always inevitable, for numerous reasons. For the second production of Karl V. in the Nationaltheater, Carlus Padrissa in particular seeks out political power systems that are highly topical, and so very precisely analyses the treatment in the theatrical piece. At the core of the intellectually and linguistically highly qualified libretto, written by the composer himself, Karl V. reflects on his life and makes his confession to a young monk below Titian's La Gloria.
Cast & Crew
Bo Skovhus
Karl V.
Lead
Christa Mayer
Juana, seine Mutter
GB
Gun-Brit Barkmin
Eleonore, seine Schwester
DP
Dean Power
Ferdinand, sein Bruder
Anne Schwanewilms
Isabella, seine Gattin
JT
Janus Torp
Juan de Regla, sein Beichtvater
What People Are Saying
0.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Carlus Padrissa's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. Krenek: Karl V is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
