January 18th, 2010
The Israeli Opera
HELNWEIN'S VISUAL REALIZATION FOR THE OPERA "THE CHILD DREAMS"
Hanna Munitz
Director
One of the most important productions of the Israeli Opera's 25th anniversary season is the world premiere of the opera The Child Dreams, based on the most poetic and lyric play by the late Hanoch Levin, undoubtedly, one of Israel's greatest playwrights. With his stage design, costumes, make-up and videos, Gottfried Helnwein created a breathtaking and revolutionary new visual realization for that play. Together with director Omri Nitzan he developed a new conception for the adaption as an opera . Composed is the opera by Israeli composer Gil Shohat, and David Stern, the Israeli Opera's music director, is conducting this new opera featuring closed to 20 Israeli opera singers on the stage. Helnwein also included dancer and choreographer Gregor Seyffert who is in charge of the choreography.

"The discovery of Hanoch Levin's play "The Child Dreams" was a shock and an epiphany for me. Never before was the work of another artist so close to my own inner pictures. It was as if this play was dedicated to all the children that had appeared in my work and to all those that are yet to come."

Gottfried Helnwein to Peter Nedoma, the director of Galerie Rudolfinum in Prag, April, 2008

The opera "The child dreams" will premiere Mon January 18, 2010 (20:00)

A world première, based on one of the most important Israeli plays of all time by Hanoch Levin. A journey of escape towards the unknown in an opera featuring death and despair intertwined with a hope for a better future.

Dates

Mon 18.1.10 (20:00), Wed 20.1.10 (20:00), Fri 22.1.10 (13:00), Sat 23.1.10 (20:00),
Mon 25.1.10 (20:00)
Towards Opening: Sat 16.1.10 (11:00)

The Opera Orchestra - The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion

Sung in Hebrew
Surtitles in English and Hebrew
Length of performance: approx. two hours

"This is Hanoch Levin's most poetic play and his greatest achievement." (Yediot Ahharonot)

PROPHETIC DEAD CHILD:

"I saw an angel: He was sailing in the sun,
diving slowly as if in a sea of honey,
and he came down and whispered to me:
"Oh little lambs, silent screamers,
oh. my tender, impatient dead,
a tiny error was made in the inventory
and now it's final: one more child."

(a silence of disbelief)

"That's what he told me. 'Rest just a little more
Only one more child."

(From "The Child Dreams" by Hanoch Levin, scene 8 (Requiem)

Dramatis Personae:

THE FATHER
THE MOTHER
BLEEDING MAN
A SHOCKED OBSERVER OF DEATH
WOMAN BORN FOR LOVE
COMMANDER
WAILING WOMAN
THE CHILD
CROOKED-BLACK SOLDIER
OPTIMISTIC NEIGHBOR
MAN JEALOUS OF THE LIVING
SAILORS
A CONSOLING PASSENGER
MAN OF REASON
EXCITED PASSENGER
DEVOUT PASSENGER
GUARD
LAME YOUTH
CLERK
TOOTHLESS MAN
FEARFUL WOMAN PASSENGER
GOVERNOR
GOVERNOR'S WIFE
CLEVER SAILOR
LAZY ONE
DEAD CHILDREN
PROPHETIC DEAD CHILD
SENSITIVE DEAD CHILD
ARGUMENTATIVE DEAD CHILD
IMPATIENT DEAD CHILD
OBSERVING DEAD CHILD
"MESSIAH"
BRAVE SOLDIER
CHILD WHO TURNED TO DUST