Max Bruch: Odysseus (Szenen aus der Odyssee op. 41)

A superhero returns home - concert for choirs, soloists and orchestra, with the ensemble stuttgart vocal and 4 other choirs

Five choirs with over 200 singers: the choir can't be big enough for this grandiose project!

That's why the KonzertChor Stuttgart, the stuttgart vocal ensemble, the Cologne Männer-Gesang-Verein, the BonnSonata women's choir and the girls' and women's choir of the Schola Cantorum Leipzig are performing together: First in Cologne's Philharmonie, then in the Beethoven Hall of Stuttgart's Liederhalle.

The Odyssey tells the story of the long wanderings of the Greek hero Odysseus, who tries to return to his homeland of Ithaca after the Trojan War. On his journey, he encounters numerous dangers and mythical creatures such as Cyclops, sirens, witches and even gods, while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus wait for him back home in Ithaca.

Max Bruch, one of the most important composers of the 19th century, created his first oratorio, Odysseus, in 1871 - a monumental work that retells Odysseus' return home in impressive musical language. In it, Bruch succeeds in combining classical material with romantic tonal language and building a bridge between antiquity and modernity. The work is rich in emotional depth, dramatic tension and fine musical characterizations.

Performers:

KonzertChor Stuttgart
Ensemble stuttgart vokal
Kölner Männer-Gesang-Verein
Frauenchor BonnSonata
Mädchen- und Frauenchor der Schola Cantorum Leipzig
Orchester ensemble scatenato
Speakers: Actor Stefan Wilkening
Samantha Gaul as Nausikaa (soprano)
Monica Mascus as Penelope (mezzo-soprano)
Martin Berner as Odysseus (baritone)
Conductor: Sebastian Kunz