After listening to the two CDs of Giorgio Batistelli's _Auf den Marmorklippen_ - Musikalische Visionen nach dem Roman von Ernst Juenger - Live-Aufnahme der Urauffuehrung aus dem Nationaltheater Mannheim. Musikalische Leitung: Adam Fischer, Nationaltheater Mannheim Oper - SWR 2, 2002, I can wholeheartedly recommend them. CD 1 (47:59) Szenen 1 - 5 CD 2 (38:39) Szenen 6 - 9 Batistelli already in the 1980s suggested to Ernst Juenger an opera = based on the novel. Batistelli had just read _Heliopolis_ and on = recommendation by an Italian literary researcher he also read _Auf den Marmorklippen_. Batistelli was impressed by the literary vision of Ernst Juenger, who = after being contacted by Batistelli gave his approval. For a long time through = this project, the two remained in contact. During 15 years, however, no = theater could be found which could give the Italian composer a contract to write this opera. Meanwhile Battistelli composed two other works relating to Juenger: Anarca- Hommage =E0 Ernst Juenger for orchestra (1988/89) and Heliopolis (1992). Before his passing away in 1998 Juenger let Battistelli know that he did not think it was possible to have an opera performed in = Germany based on _Auf den Marmorklippen_, as he believed himself he was too controversial. But this view of Juenger proved not to be correct. = Battistelli composed the opera as Composer in Residence for the Nationaltheater Mannheim. The libretto by Giorgio Van Straten provides an excellent "distillation" of the novel. For the opera passages from the novel that could possibly be transformed into a dialogue were chosen.=20 The Marina, where people could live in harmony with the gods, the dead, the plants and animals is contrasted with barbarism and fear. The Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim and the choir of the theatre are both providing a dazzling performance. The cast is international with Hungarian and Ukrainian performers. These CD=B4s belong in every music library of admirers of Ernst Juenger. Bertil Haggman After listening to the two CDs of Giorgio Batistelli's _Auf den Marmorklippen_ - Musikalische Visionen nach dem Roman von Ernst Juenger - Live-Aufnahme der Urauffuehrung aus dem Nationaltheater Mannheim. Musikalische Leitung: Adam Fischer, Nationaltheater Mannheim Oper - SWR 2, 2002, I can wholeheartedly recommend them. CD 1 (47:59) Szenen 1 - 5 CD 2 (38:39) Szenen 6 - 9 Batistelli already in the 1980s suggested to Ernst Juenger an opera = based on the novel. Batistelli had just read _Heliopolis_ and on = recommendation by an Italian literary researcher he also read _Auf den Marmorklippen_. Batistelli was impressed by the literary vision of Ernst Juenger, who = after being contacted by Batistelli gave his approval. For a long time through = this project, the two remained in contact. During 15 years, however, no = theater could be found which could give the Italian composer a contract to write this opera. Meanwhile Battistelli composed two other works relating to Juenger: Anarca- Hommage =E0 Ernst Juenger for orchestra (1988/89) and Heliopolis (1992). Before his passing away in 1998 Juenger let Battistelli know that he did not think it was possible to have an opera performed in = Germany based on _Auf den Marmorklippen_, as he believed himself he was too controversial. But this view of Juenger proved not to be correct. = Battistelli composed the opera as Composer in Residence for the Nationaltheater Mannheim. The libretto by Giorgio Van Straten provides an excellent "distillation" of the novel. For the opera passages from the novel that could possibly be transformed into a dialogue were chosen.=20 The Marina, where people could live in harmony with the gods, the dead, the plants and animals is contrasted with barbarism and fear. The Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim and the choir of the theatre are both providing a dazzling performance. The cast is international with Hungarian and Ukrainian performers. These CD=B4s belong in every music library of readers of Ernst Juenger. Bertil Haggman
Markup © John King, July 2001.