The Glacier

Opera 2.0

A poly-microtonal multimedia opera

Dedicated website German

Dedicated website English

Young twins, Max and Gabriel, climb a mountain to reach a glacier. Although they resemble each other, they are fundamentally different in their characters. For the humanist Gabriel, this is the first hike and he is deeply impressed by the surrounding nature; the size and beauty of the mountains leave a permanent imprint on his soul. In contrast, his brother Max observes the landscape through the eyes of a scientist. When things come to an end, tragedy will have struck as they reach the glacier.

Why Opera 2.0? New territory is tantalizingly available in practically all facets of this production. First, the musicians will have abandoned sheet music in favor of a graphic video score that permits a much more intuitive style of playing, with fluent combinations of music styles, including avant-garde, music, jazz and rock. Second, the leading role is a "virtual" singer on a video screen. Third, musicians perform on specially constructed musical instruments, designed to play in rare tuning systems. The results are unique melodies and newly imagined harmonies. "Cross of the Enganged", following his "The Glacier - Opera 2.0“ is Klinkenberg’s second opera.

The orchestra is comprised of musicians from Germany, USA, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Slovenia, France, and Belgium. They are brought together specifically because of their viruosic expertise in performing microtonal music.

  • Composer: Christian Klinkenberg

  • Director and libretto: Nicole Erbe

  • Conductor: Bart Bouckaert

  • Video: Ludwig Kuckartz

  • Graphic score: Marc Kirschvink

  • Set designer: Jens Schumacher

  • Software designer: Lothar Felten

  • Light: Jonas Rüter

  • Translation: Christian Klinkenberg, Hugh Featherstone and Vedran Mutić

  • Radio voice: Julia Hansen (English), Juliane Pempelfort (German)

  • Actor: Ilan Daneels

  • Singer: Jean Bermes

  • Flute: Anne Davids

  • Clarinet: Nora-Louise Müller

  • Alto saxophone: Philipp Gerschlauer

  • Baritone saxophone: Luc Marly

  • Bassoon, recorder: Johnny Reinhard

  • Violin: Dan Auerbach

  • Violin, viola: Paul Pankert

  • Electric guitar: Melle Weijters

  • Double Bass: Vedran Mutić

  • Percussion, Drumset: Stephan Klinkenberg

  • Synthesizer: Christian Klinkenberg

Photo by Philippe Beck

25 October 2019 8pm: Alter Schlachthof, Eupen (Belgium) – TICKETS

26 October 2019 8pm: Alter Schlachthof, Eupen (Belgium) – TICKETS

27 October 2019 6pm: BOZAR, Brüssel (Belgium) – TICKETS

31 October 2019 8pm: Triangle, St. Vith (Belgium) – TICKETS

1.November 2019 8pm: Triangle, St. Vith (Belgium) – TICKETS

19 November 2019: 2:30pmCollege of Staten Island, Staten Island/New York (USA) – TICKETS

20 November 2019 6pm LeFrak Concert Hall - Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, Queens/New York (USA)– TICKETS

22. November 2019: 7pm The National Opera Center, Manhattan/New York (USA) – TICKETS