I wanted to see this modern opera. I had Rebecca Saunders bookmarked in my head, after hearing a piece of hers performed in 2017. So when I saw that her first opera is being produced in the Deutsche Oper Berlin, I wanted to get tickets.
It turned out to be a very fantastic and conceptual piece. It is a surreal piece, about a woman (played by three singers and one actress), processing death. She is essentially mourning, and this process is very cellular, even. Even minute items like an eyelash triggers so many emotions, and it is this very biological treatment of mourning, of love, loss, and many other sensations that makes this piece rather positively bizarre. Yes, it is not for everyone, but I have to say, I absolutely loved it. The opera is not telling a stereotypical story, but rather exists in a liminal space, described as a "limbo between life and death" or the "immediate aftermath of a death." This allows for a non-linear exploration of the protagonist's memories and fantasies. The visuals made heavy use of live video, and features large-format dream images interspersed with microscopic views of bodily details.
It has three acts: Act I introduces the protagonist's initial state of being "suspended in the immediate aftermath of a death." It begins with a flood of questions, all starting with "I wanted to ask...", addressed to an absent loved one. This sets the stage for the unfolding memories and desires. Act II has the title of "Mute", but paradoxically, this is where the orchestra reaches its climax, as it creates a powerful, overwhelming, sonic landscape, representing the internal turmoil or the intensity of the protagonist's memories and confrontations with loss. And finally, in Act III, "all limitations on the music are gone." Saunders expands the music throughout the entire theater, with soloists and orchestra members positioned within and around the auditorium, creating a resonating sonic architecture. I really loved this spatial element: I have first encountered spatialisation of music with Iannis Xenakis' works, and I am glad to experience it again in this opera.
Musically, I found it highly engaging. There were plenty of soundscapes, and that was absolutely fantastic to witness. There is minimal emphasis on melody, and more on the overall timbre and texture, and seeing how the various instruments actually moulded together to provide this sonic texture was a very electric experience.
Overall, I had great fun seeing this. I was absolutely engaging and definitely one of my favourite pieces I have seen in the recent past.
