Moses and Aron

The Ruhrtriennale 2009-2011, directed by Willy Decker, presents a programme titled "Primal Moments" which examines the relationship between religion and art as reflected in three of the world's major religions. The Ruhrtriennale 2009 opened with Arnold Schönberg's opera "Moses and Aron" (director: Willy Decker, musical director: Michael Boder).
Originally deemed unperformable, Schönberg's piece made its way to the stage as a two-act opera following its world premiere in Zurich in 1957. Since then, it has become known as one of the most expressive operas of the 20th century. At the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, this piece was performed under conditions quite different than those offered by a conventional stage. Schönberg's scenic visions inspired a fascinating set design that plays on the dimensions of the Jahrhunderthalle which no "normal" theatre could ever achieve. Even the size of the cast far surpasses that of any conventional theatre. With over eleven soloists, 120 singers, almost 100 musicians and numerous extras, this production was one of the largest and most ambitious ever shown at the Ruhrtriennale.

Director: Willy Decker
Conductor: Michael Boder
Set designer: Wolfgang Gussmann
Dramaturge: Stefan Poprawka
Artists: Finnur Bjarnason, Andreas Conrad, Dale Duesing, Ilse Eerens, Martin Gerke, Boris Grappe, Karolina Gumos, Hanna Herfurtner, Renatus Mészár, Dong-Won Seo, Michael Smallwood, Bochumer Symphoniker, ChorWerk Ruhr

Venue and schedule:
Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, 22 August 2009 premiere, 25/28/30 August and 2 September 2009 additional performances