By Martina Hafner
The Komische Oper started the 2023/24 season with the magnificent production of Hans Werner Henze’s “The Raft of the Medusa”. The oratorio was staged in a gigantic expanse of water in Hangar 1 at Tempelhof Airport.
The plot is based on a historical event: In 1816, the French ship “Medusa” got into distress off Senegal, the officers rescued themselves with help, and 154 crew members fought for survival on a raft. From the first moment, the connection to today, when thousands are fleeing across the Mediterranean, is obvious.
In Tobias scratch’s production, one visually stunning scene follows the next. The stage (Rainer Sellmaier) consists of a huge area of 240,000 liters of knee-deep water on which a small raft floats, which is occasionally converted into jetties.
The pool with 240,000 liters of knee-deep water during a test Photo: DAVIDS/Christina Kratsch
The audience sits on two stands opposite each other, the orchestra on the narrow side of the pool. A narrator named Charon (Idunnu Münch) leads through the story, Death (Gloria Rehm) leads the, as it is repeatedly said, “far too many” dying people out of the water with a brilliant soprano. The sailor Jean-Charles (Günter Papendell) waves for help with a red rag. But even a Jesus figure walking on the water brings no hope.
It’s oppressive when over 100 actors rush towards the tiny raft, struggle in the dark waves, then quietly walk away. The ending is also spectacular. The huge door of the hangar opens onto Tempelhofer Feld, and the few survivors run outside. Where there is currently a refugee accommodation.
At the end, long applause and many shouts of bravo, also for the orchestra (conductor: Titus Engel), which makes Henze’s work roar like a hurricane but never loses its transparency. Must be heard and seen.
Again on September 23rd, 26th, 28th, 30th and October 2nd + 3rd. 2023, 8 p.m. each, Hangar 1, Columbiadamm 84, possibly remaining tickets at the box office.