Around the Music Festival

Harry Kupfer, a global director, died on December 30, last year, at his home in Berlin, Germany, at the age of 84. Kupfer was born in Berlin in 1935. He is one of those who was taught by Walter Felsenstein, a historic director who practiced the “musik theater” that aims to unite music and play.

He based on the former East Germany, he has attracted attention as one of the most avant-garde directors in Europe. In 1981 he was appointed chief director of Komische Oper Berlin in East Berlin, where he is known for his numerous performances.

He debuted as a director in 1958, “Rusalka” at the Halle Opera. Later, he became an opera director at Karl Marx-Stadt, Weimar, and Dresden, as well as East German theaters. Later, he took over the Comische Oper Berlin founded by Felsenstein. After the unification of East and West Germany, he held that post until 2002.

Directed nearly 200 works so far. There are many guest performances at opera house and music festivals around the world. In particular, at the Bayreuth Festival he worked with conductor Daniel Barenboim to direct Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung” from 1988 to 1992, setting a milestone in its history.

He also debuted at the Salzburg Festival in 1986 with the world premiere of Penderecki’s opera “The Black Mask”. In 2014 he also directed Richard Strauss’s “The knight of the Rose”. Until recently, he continued his vigorous activities, producing a Handel’s opera “Polos” at Komische Oper Berlin and Wagner’s “Tannhauser” at the Zurich Opera in 2019. In Japan, Kupfer’s new production “Parsifal” is being performed at the New National Theater Tokyo in the 2014/2015 season.

Photo：Komische Oper Berlin