The remarkable opera Der Kaiser von Atlantis (The Emperor of Atlantis) by Viktor Ullmann is being performed this month for the first time in Hebrew, in several cities throughout the country.
The Carmel Quartet and Meitar Ensemble will present the historic performance in collaboration with A Spectacular World of Jewish Music, the creators of the Into the Light project.
Ullmann was a noted pianist, opera conductor, and composer, settling in Prague before the Nazi invasion.
The opera was written by Ullmann to a libretto by Peter Kien in 1943, on sheets of paper stolen from the Nazi camp offices. They managed to start rehearsals, but were soon sent to their deaths in Auschwitz. The opera was considered lost, but was miraculously discovered years later and premiered 50 years ago in the Netherlands.
Central figure of the musical world
Ullmann became one of the central figures in the musical world who emerged in the ghetto. He wrote music reviews, organized concerts, and composed works – 16 of which have survived, although four are apparently lost forever.
A biting tale, Atlantis dares to deal with questions of evil and war through sharp humor and original music, combined with relevant musical references.
Conducted by Nir Cohen-Shalit and translated to Hebrew by Assaf Levitin, the opera will feature singers Tali Ketzef, Reut Ventorero, Yuri Kissin, Daniel Jan Pruzansky, and Johnny Bombino
It will be performed today at the Eran Auditorium in Ra’anana; on Friday at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Music Center; on Saturday at the Beit Nir Auditorium in Zichron Ya’acov; and on December 17, at the Sounds of the Desert Festival in Sde Boker.