A hard-hitting new production of Kurt Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny by the Catalan collective La Fura dels Baus at the Teatro Real de Madrid.
Composed in the 1930s by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, this is a mordant satire on capitalism and the inexorable industrialisation of a society in which the ultimate crime is not having money. In twenty scenes the authors tell the story of a city lost in the middle of a desert and run by three thugs; in Mahagonny food, sex, gambling and violence rule supreme.
The production by Alex Ollé and Carlus Padrissa, both of La Fura dels Baus, combines enormous inventiveness, joy and energy with awe-inspiring ferocity.
Perfect casting brings together a group of singers – Measha Brueggergosman, Michael König, Jane Henschel and Willard White – who are also marvellous actors.
The Teatro Real Orchestra and Chorus are directed by young Spanish conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, who actually began his career at the Teatro Real. In November 2010, he received the “El Ojo Crítico” prize, awarded annually to Spain’s most outstanding artists in the classical music field.
Tras 8 años trabajando juntos, y fruto de una profunda reflexión acerca del repertorio para esta formación, en 2015 Zavasax siente la necesidad de plasmar la concepción musical y artística de su trayectoria en un trabajo discográfico.
El Auditorio Eduardo del Pueyo de Zaragoza es el entorno elegido para llevar a cabo el proyecto, Neu Records los encargados de dirigirlo y asesorarlo. Así nace “Inventions” el cd debut de Zavasax Saxophone Duo.
Un repertorio fresco, trabajado con profundo mimo, que cuenta con obras originales y transcripciones.
Bach, Lauba, Ferrer Ferrán o Singelée son una muestra de la versatilidad de la formación. Tras un año intenso de trabajo artesanal, Zavasax presenta “Inventions”.