The Greek composer Georges Aperghis became fascinated by the dramaturgical text Die Hamletmaschine by the German dramatist Heiner Müller. This is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but is set in intellectual circles in the German DDR.

In essence it examines the conflict between thinking and acting. This probing text inspired Aperghis to compose the monumental work Die Hamletmaschine-Oratorio. He succeeds in building up an oppressive tension, which is maintained throughout the entire work. With his special manner of writing for the voice (soloists and choir), which at times merges with the instruments, he achieves an extremely direct expressivity, varying from soft and beautiful to loud and forcefully raw. 

Artists

GEORGES APERGHIS
Die Hamletmaschine-Oratorio – Dutch Première

ASKO|SCHÖNBERG
SWR VOKALENSEMBLE
conductor Bas Wiegers
soprano Sarah Aristidou
bassbariton Romain Bischoff
bassbariton Holger Falk
percussion Christian Dierstein
viola Genevieve Strosser