Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU) invites you to the performance of the opera "La vida breve" by Manuel de Falla. The premiere will take place on 13 July 2025 at 20:30 in the courtyard of the main building of the HU, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin. The musical director is Constantin Alex, University Music Director. In addition to Humboldt's Philharmonic Choir and Humboldt's Student Philharmonic Orchestra, which is mainly made up of students and graduates of Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, professional young singers are involved in the solo parts as well as the Berlin flamenco group around La Antonia. Hinrich Horstkotte has been engaged as director.
La vida breve
In 75 minutes, the opera tells a tragic love story set around 1900 in the southern Spanish city of Granada. Salud and Paco love each other despite their different social status. Salud's grandmother and her uncle suspect that Paco, who comes from a noble family, will ultimately marry a woman of his own social standing, but they hide this from Salud. In the second picture, the scene changes to a wedding party with Spanish folklore and flamenco dancing. Salud arrives and suddenly realises the truth: the bride's name is Carmela and the groom is Paco. Salud confronts her lover and asks him to kill her. He denies all guilt. Salud's heart breaks and she dies in the midst of the wedding guests, leaving the company distraught.
Manuel de Falla was one of the most famous composers in Spain at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. He wrote over 20 stage works. His style combines Spanish folk music with sounds influenced by Impressionism.
"Performing this opera with the HU ensembles has been my heart's desire since I got to know it in 1994 during a rehearsal with the Rundfunkchor Berlin," says University Music Director Prof Constantin Alex. "It is incredibly fascinating how Manuel de Falla takes into account the milieu in Granada around 1910 and interweaves his own late romantic-expressionist musical language with the flamenco music."
At a glance
La vida breve by Manuel de Falla (1876 - 1946)
Lyricaldrama in two acts
Libretto: Carlos Fernández-Shaw
When: Premiere on 13 July 2025, 8.30 pm, admission: 7.30 pm
Further performances: 15 July 2025, 17 July 2025, 19 July 2025, each at 8.30 pm
Duration 75 minutes
Where: Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, inner courtyard of the main building, access via Dorotheenstra?e 18 - 21, 10117 Berlin
Topic Poverty
Constantin Alex has developed a special minimalist performance concept for this open-air production. In order to visualise the theme of "poverty", which is omnipresent in the opera, everything external is reduced to the bare essentials. There are neither elaborate sets nor scenery. In addition to its musical role, the chorus also functions as a living stage set and provides the lighting. This puts de Falla's late romantic-impressionistic music and the people performing on stage centre stage.
Performers
Carmen Larios Caparrós - Salud
Ido Beit Halachmi - Paco
Siying Wei - Carmela / 1st saleswoman
Vivien Ivaylo Georgiev - Abuela
Juncan Zhu - El Tio Savaor
Cornelius Lewenberg - Manuel
and others.
Flamenco:
La Antonia - dance and choreography
Cayetana de Ronda - dance
Adrián Navarro - dance
Antonio Dias - dance
Elias de la Antonia - dance
Juan Cárdenas - flamenco singing
NikosTsiachris - guitar
Philharmonic Choir of Humboldt-Universit?t
Humboldt's Student Philharmonic Orchestra
Musical Director: Constantin Alex
Director:
Hinrich Horstkotte
Further information
Tickets
Tickets cost 20 euros, concessions 10 euros. They can be purchased via Reservix and at all known advance booking offices.
Note:
The event will take place without technical amplification and even in unfavourable weather conditions. The auditorium is not covered. Tickets can only be refunded if the performance has to be cancelled. Out of consideration for other visitors, we kindly ask you to bring weatherproof clothing instead of umbrellas. A limited number of seats are available. Purchasing a ticket does not entitle you to a seat.
- Information about University Music Director Constantin Alex
- Information about Hinrich Horskotte
- Flyer for the opera performance "La vida breve"
Contact
Eva Blaskewitz
Music Management of the Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin