BARABBAS
opera in two acts
opera in two acts
Music by Andrei Maksimov
Libretto by Vladimir Alkhovik
English libretto by Helen Daniels
World premiere - 14 April 2023
Biel Volkshaus (Switzerland)
Libretto by Vladimir Alkhovik
English libretto by Helen Daniels
World premiere - 14 April 2023
Biel Volkshaus (Switzerland)
reviews
"A brilliant show rich in subtexts awakened the emotions and imagination of the audience for a full two hours..."
"...orchestra was conducted by maestro Igor Andreev.
Violins, viola and cellos, flutes and clarinet, double bass, piano and percussion played like good friends."
"...orchestra was conducted by maestro Igor Andreev.
Violins, viola and cellos, flutes and clarinet, double bass, piano and percussion played like good friends."
"The production demonstrates Mira Alkhovik's
talent as an opera director..."
"The impulsiveness and expression of the well-written
music for the voice combined with the skills of the talented artists, giving the audience a harmonious and relevant act as a great cause for empathy and reflection..."
read more
talent as an opera director..."
"The impulsiveness and expression of the well-written
music for the voice combined with the skills of the talented artists, giving the audience a harmonious and relevant act as a great cause for empathy and reflection..."
read more
premiere
HKB Chamber orchestra led by conductor Igor Andreev performed a world premiere of Andrei Maksimov’s opera Barabbas. This fully staged production brought together singers, dancers, actors and instrumentalists for two nights (14/04, 15/04) in Biel Volkshaus.
Barabbas follows the well-known story of a people’s resistance against Pilate’s invasion of Jerusalem. Yet when Barabbas is due to be sentenced to death, his life is saved by another.
This new opera wrestles with revolution, sacrifice, love and conflict and reminds us how stories from centuries ago can have as much meaning now as they did then.
This new opera wrestles with revolution, sacrifice, love and conflict and reminds us how stories from centuries ago can have as much meaning now as they did then.
Preparations for the play have been underway since December 2022, when the first musical rehearsals began. At the same time, the concept of the production was born, based on the division of the stage by a black cloth as a symbol of reversible exclusion. Here's what director Mira Alkhovik says about her staging solution:
"I thought for a long time about how to render this inner conflict of national enmity in a way that would be understandable to a modern audience. That is how the concept for our production was born.
"I thought for a long time about how to render this inner conflict of national enmity in a way that would be understandable to a modern audience. That is how the concept for our production was born.
Barabbas is a story that has no reference to nationalities. It is a story about people who are trying to find a place in this world and express themselves in every possible way. But what these people really have in common is a sense of loneliness. They talk about freedom and happiness, but they don't know where to find it.
Yet at the end of the play comes someone who can explain that what matters most is themselves, without masks, prejudices and attitudes.
Human life is the greatest value. You just have to see this value in every person you meet on your way."
Yet at the end of the play comes someone who can explain that what matters most is themselves, without masks, prejudices and attitudes.
Human life is the greatest value. You just have to see this value in every person you meet on your way."
videos
BARABBAS SHOW #1
14.04.23 Biel Volkshaus, Switzerland
BARABBAS SHOW #2
15.04.23 Biel Volkshaus, Switzerland
scores
synopsis
JESUS
Voice type: Bariton
Nationality: French
Vocal Coach: Daniel Gloger
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
Nationality: French
Vocal Coach: Daniel Gloger
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
BARABBAS
Voice type: Tenor
Nationality: Colombian
Vocal Coach: Christian Hilz
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
Nationality: Colombian
Vocal Coach: Christian Hilz
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
SIMON
Voice type: Bariton
Nationality: Swiss
Vocal coach: Tanja Ariane Baumgartner
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
Nationality: Swiss
Vocal coach: Tanja Ariane Baumgartner
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
PILATE
Voice type: Tenor
Nationality: United States
Vocal coach: Daniel Gloger
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
Nationality: United States
Vocal coach: Daniel Gloger
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
SINGERS
MARY
Voice type: Baritone
Nationality: Russian
Web: andreimaksimov.com
Vocal Coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
Nationality: Russian
Web: andreimaksimov.com
Vocal Coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
DECIMUS
Voice type: Soprano
Nationality: Russian
Web: miraalkhovik.com
Vocal Coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
Nationality: Russian
Web: miraalkhovik.com
Vocal Coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master in Specialized Music Performance – Oper, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB
CLAUDIA
Voice type: Soprano
Nationality: Brazilian / Portuguese
Web: annabeatrizgomes.com
Vocal coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
Nationality: Brazilian / Portuguese
Web: annabeatrizgomes.com
Vocal coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
LUCIA
Voice type: Soprano
Nationality: United States
Vocal coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
Nationality: United States
Vocal coach: Malin Hartelius
Current studies: Master Specialized Music Performance Opera, Swiss Opera Studio, Bern Academy of the Arts
Pianist, 2d year BA student in Haute École des arts du Rhin in Strasbourg.
Started her professional education in Taiwan with Chang Yun-Fang, Chen Tsui-Chuan, Chen Pan-An, Yang Shu-Mei.
Studying in France from 2017 with Cécile Hugonnard-Roche, Delphine Armand, Jean-François Ballèvre, Elizabeth Vinciguerra, Anne-Catherine Kaiser, Sarah Zajtmann.
In 2023 made an internship in Opera National du Rhin.
Participated in Masterclasses by Gwhyneth Chen, Christian Wirth, Géraldine Dutroncy, Alessandro Amoretti, etc. Working as a concert pianist and accompanist around France.
Started her professional education in Taiwan with Chang Yun-Fang, Chen Tsui-Chuan, Chen Pan-An, Yang Shu-Mei.
Studying in France from 2017 with Cécile Hugonnard-Roche, Delphine Armand, Jean-François Ballèvre, Elizabeth Vinciguerra, Anne-Catherine Kaiser, Sarah Zajtmann.
In 2023 made an internship in Opera National du Rhin.
Participated in Masterclasses by Gwhyneth Chen, Christian Wirth, Géraldine Dutroncy, Alessandro Amoretti, etc. Working as a concert pianist and accompanist around France.
PIANO, VOCAL COACHING
李媛愛
Li Yuan-Ai
Li Yuan-Ai
photos
articles
Everything you want to know about creation and origins of the opera Barabbas
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Andrei Maksimov
composer
composer
Mira Alkhovik
director
director