Deutsche Oper Berlin Opens Season With Stockhausen’s ‘Mittwoch aus Licht’

The Deutsche Oper Berlin has launched its new season with a bold and ambitious production of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s ‘Mittwoch aus Licht’ (Wednesday from Light), marking only the second time this opera has ever been performed. The work is part of Stockhausen’s monumental 29-hour, seven-opera cycle ‘Licht,’ which has never been staged in its entirety. This production signals a clear artistic direction under new leadership, with Aviel Cahn assuming control of the venue after years managing opera houses in Belgium and Switzerland.

The opera features some of the most extraordinary and challenging scenes in modern opera history. Most notoriously, a string quartet performs while ascending into the sky in separate helicopters, with their music and video transmitted down to the audience below. The production also includes dancing camels, including an interstellar camel character named Lucicamel who receives radio transmissions from across the cosmos after producing seven glowing orbs and indulging in champagne.

Cahn stated that the essence of the Deutsche Oper is to be a forward-thinking opera house that resonates with its era. This production conveys a powerful message about the company’s future direction, demonstrating the venue’s commitment to presenting innovative, challenging works that push the boundaries of traditional opera. The staging of such a formidable work presents significant logistical and artistic challenges for any opera company, but the Deutsche Oper Berlin has embraced this opportunity to establish itself as a leader in contemporary opera production.