Hamburg lands major opera chief
OperaThe next head of Hamburg State Opera ia to be Tobias Kratzer, one of the most interesting directors of German opera, it was announced today.
Kratzer, 42, caught the eye with Bayreuth’s Tannhäuser in 2019.
He takes over Hamburg in 2025.
Why not a musician? His Tannhäuser was cheered, but it was deeply offensive. Grotesque.
Offensive? To whom?
Grotesque? Yes, in line with the grotesque elements of Wagner’s conception of the Venusberg.
Bayreuth’s last two Rings were both failures, but I found Kratzer’s Tannhäuser to be imaginative, insightful, brilliantly executed and faithful to the spirit of the piece.
Lucky Hamburgers!