Composition by Josef Piras with music by Felix Mendelssohn text by Constanze Negwer
Anja Signitzer, actress Daniel Grossmann, conductor
JEWISH
A new chapter in the German-Jewish history of the Mendelssohn family: the dazzling siblings Francesco and Eleonora von Mendelssohn were notorious in Berlin in the 1920s, embodying the proverbial 'dance on the volcano' in the nightlife of the metropolis of Berlin. In extravagant outfits and intoxicated with absinthe, they partied with Max Reinhardt and Gustaf Gründgens - until the National Socialists seized power. Although the family had been converts for generations, the siblings emigrated to America, where they met a tragic end.
TODAY The 'Golden 20s' have a special fascination - from 'Cabaret' to 'Babylon Berlin', this era continues to inspire creative minds to this day. At the same time, we keep finding parallels to our time: are we now experiencing the same 'dance on the volcano' as 100 years ago?
FOR ALL In an evening concert with literary texts, we will create an exciting, fragmentary biography of the siblings. Anja Signitzer (Ensemble Münchner Kammerspiele) tells of special encounters and special events from Eleonora and Francesco's life in the 'Roaring Twenties', interwoven with music from Felix Mendelssohn to the 1920s, which the young Munich composer Josef Piras congenially combines into a complete work.
