Organization

Conductor

François-Xavier Roth

Singer

Tenor

Maximilian Schmitt

Chorus master

Florian Helgath

Soprano

Siobhan Stagg

Die Peri

Marie-Sophie Pollak

Jungfrau

Mezzo-soprano

Claudia Mahnke

Der Engel

Jan Petryka

Ein Jüngling

Bass

Florian Boesch

Gazna

Others

ChorWerk Ruhr

Orchestra

Gürzenich - Orchester Köln

Paradise

Cologne

Germany

Kölner Philharmonie

Paradise: Das Paradies und die Peri

Public

Paradise and the Peri, op. 50

Approved

How does one return to paradise? This question tortures the Peri, an angelic creature to whom Eden’s gates remain closed. She is told that the pearly gates only open to those who »bring heaven’s dearest gift«. The Peri travels the world, searching, until the tear of a repentant sinner finally opens the gates. Robert Schumann was introduced to the story of the fallen angel through the Irish poet Thomas Moore, who wrote this »oriental romance« in verse. It inspired him to create a »new genre for the concert hall, an oratorio not intended for a prayer meeting – but for cheerful people«. After completing a cycle of Robert Schumann’s symphonies, François-Xavier Roth now dedicates himself for the first time to one of Schumann’s major vocal and symphonic works. Together with renowned vocal soloists and the voices of Chorwerk Ruhr, he plumbs the depths of this fascinating work, which draws upon romantic song just as much as contrapuntal choruses. How would we imagine a »new genre for the concert hall« today?

English

Paradise by Schumann, From (2023/2023), Conductor François-Xavier Roth, Kölner Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues