A first for Venice’s illustrious Teatro La Fenice: Der Protagonist, the expressionist masterpiece by Kurt Weill, will be performed not at La Fenice itself but on the stage of the Teatro Malibran, across five dates – 2, 4, 10, 13 and 15 May 2025. This remarkable project boasts a brand-new production directed by the celebrated Ezio Toffolutti, under the baton of Markus Stenz, a renowned interpreter of Weill’s work.

Composed to a libretto by Georg Kaiser, Der Protagonist was Kurt Weill’s very first opera. Premiered on 27 March 1926 at the Semperoper in Dresden, the work is notable for its bold musical language – blending jazz influences, harmonic dissonances and syncopated rhythms. These stylistic traits sharply contrast with the romantic and lyrical tradition typically associated with La Fenice, where Italian giants like Verdi and Puccini so often reign supreme.

By programming a rarely performed German opera, this prestigious Italian house asserts its originality and places itself firmly among the ranks of international stages, in a country known for passionately defending its own operatic repertoire.

The choice also reflects La Fenice’s commitment to breathing life into the great 20th-century works – a refreshing move that might just stir the habits of its devoted audience.

In this captivating opera, each character embodies a “concept” rather than a fully fleshed-out individual. The title role of “The Protagonist” represents the artistic ideal, while another central figure – The Sister – symbolises love in its most human expression.

In the leading roles, Matthias Koziorowsky and Martina Welschenbach share the spotlight in this production running at the Teatro Malibran until 15 May 2025.

 

TO ATTEND THOSE PERFORMANCES AT LA FENICE, CLICK HERE!

Affiche de la production de Der Protagonist & l’intérieur du Teatro Malibran – c – La Fenice Website