Struggle with the Devil

The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin “struggles with the devil”.

On the 21st of February, Robin Ticciati and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin recorded a programme that “struggles with the devil”: At the Haus des Rundfunks Berlin the orchestra performed Martinů's one-act opera “Slzy Nože” (‘The Tears of the Knife’) as well as Ondrej Adámek's “Sinuous Voices”. Martinů's satirical comedy, in which erotic desire and Satan both play a significant role, features a top-class cast including soprano Kateřina Kněžíková, contralto Markéta Cukrová and baritone Lucia Lucas.

Together with Paul Hindemiths “Sancta Susanna”, recorded in April 2012 and conducted by renowned Hans Graf, both recordings form the programme “Struggle with the Devil”- which can now be seen on the screen.

The video installations are designed by Ergo Phizmiz, one of the most productive artists in the world. EP is impossible to box into one particular genre of art. His work is beautiful, bewitching, bewildering and at times terrifying. Over the past decade he has created a body of work of hundreds of hours across theatre, song writing, text, electronic music, collage exhibitions, installations, opera, video, and radio plays that has constantly defied categorisation and been performed or broadcast all over the world.

Duration approx. 75'
Production Company DSO & EuroArts Music
TV Director Frederic Wake-Walker
Orchestra / Band Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Conductor Robin Ticciati, Hans Graf
Soloist Soloists Slzy Nože: Kateřina Kněžíková, soprano (Eleonora), Markéta Cukrová, alto (mother), Lucia Lucas, bass baritone (Satan)
Soloist Soloists Sancta Susanna: Melanie Diener, soprano (Susanna), Lioba Braun, mezzo soprano (Klementia), Ewa Wolak, alto (Old Nun)
English title of music work Ondrej Adámek: Sinuous Voices for instrumental ensemble
English title of music work Bohuslav Martinů: Slzy Nože (‘The Tears of the Knife’)
English title of music work Paul Hindemith: Sancta Susanna