Music theatre
23.8.-25.8.2024
Mischanlage, Kokerei Zollverein

Bruckner meets Björk in an immersive music theatre installation.

“Who could ever forget this delightful place!” In the full spirit of Romanticism, Bruckner viewed nature as an uncorrupted source of spiritual renewal. It was an escape from the fumes of the growing industrial centres. But what does the state of environment say about human beings in an age of radical climate change and natural disasters? Will generations to come remember these delightful places that nature once was? Abendzauber (literally: Evening Magic) is an immersive installation in the Mischanlage in Essen. Director Krystian Lada and Chorwerk Ruhr bring together two very different styles of music to explore the urgent issues of our time. How does the influence of human beings impact nature? The rarely performed secular choral works by Anton Bruckner are combined with songs by Björk. The Icelandic artist succeeds effortlessly in combining avant-garde and pop music elements. Caroline Shaw and Marc Schmolling have arranged Björk’s songs especially for Chorwerk Ruhr.

Produced by Ruhrtriennale and Chorwerk Ruhr.

Audio introduction

Find out more about the the production in our audio introduction.

  • People in nude-coloured underwear stand together in a foggy room and sing.
    Abendzauber, director: Krystian Lada © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • A dark corridor with concrete walls and a person with long hair looking at a red-lit opening.
    Abendzauber, Director: Krystian Lada © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • Singers of the Chorwerk Ruhr stand in two rows facing each other and sing with a songbook in their hands.
    Abendzauber, director: Christian Lada. Singer of Chorwerk Ruhr. © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • Three people in nude-coloured underwear are holding hands, with other people standing behind them and watching the scene.
    Abendzauber, director: Krystian Lada © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • A group of people stretch their hands towards a funnel in a concrete ceiling.
    Abendzauber, director: Krystian Lada © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • People look at a huge block of ice in which plants are frozen.
    Abendzauber, director: Krystian Lada © Christian Palm, Ruhrtriennale 2024
  • „Hope is a muscle that allows us to connect.“
    Björk

    Cast

    • Composition
      • Björk ,
      • Anton Bruckner ,
      • David Longstreth
    • Conducting
      • Alexander Lüken ,
      • Sebastian Breuing
    • Concept, Direction, Design
      • Krystian Lada
    • Lighting Design
      • Aleksandr Prowaliński
    • Choreography
      • Dominika Knapik
    • Sound Design
      • Thomas Wegner
    • Co-Costume Design
      • Nicola Gördes
    • Co-Lighting Design
      • Sebastian Klim
    • Arrangements
      • Caroline Shaw ,
      • Marc Schmolling
    • Choir
      • CHORWERK RUHR
    • Caspars
      • Dominik Więcek (solo) ,
      • Ying Yun Chen ,
      • Jolinus Pape
    • Survivors
      • Patrycja Kowańska (solo) ,
      • Mohamed Moodimbi (solo) ,
      • Ana Isabel Vieira Carvalho ,
      • Christiane Schröder ,
      • Fiammetta Ruggiero ,
      • Kai Griebel ,
      • Leonard A. Cruz ,
      • Samantha Shay ,
      • Susanne Hille
    • Assistant Director
      • Ivana Aeschbacher
    • Stage Management
      • Jens Fischer
    • Production Manager Ruhrtriennale
      • Marie Thiele
    • Assistant Artistic Production Manager Ruhrtriennale
      • Nastasia Herzog
    • Technical Project Manager Ruhrtriennale
      • Niels Lanz
    • Technician
      • Melanie Bluhm ,
      • Dirk Heymann ,
      • Tanya Hofmann ,
      • Julian Jäger ,
      • Klara Kron ,
      • Jan Kunz ,
      • Imke Linde ,
      • Anke Lindner ,
      • Cap-Anamur Hai-Au Nguyen ,
      • Adam Petrenko ,
      • Len Pichler ,
      • Barbara Li Sanli ,
      • Fanny Schmidt ,
      • Jonas Wüstefeld
    • Dressing, collaboration costumes
      • Chantal Baumann ,
      • Asena Yesim Lappas ,
      • Annette Jasper ,
      • Melanie Schulte-Holtey

    Visit

    • Language

      without language

    • Supporters

      With the kind support of Freunde und Förderer der Ruhrtriennale e.V.

    • Accessibility

      Due to the particular nature of the Mischanlage in Essen, the production is not fully accessible for people with mobility impairments.

    • Run time

      During the production, the audience moves continuously through the different levels of the Mischanlage. A new group is admitted every 25 minutes. The time spent on the individual levels is determined by the production.
      Run time: approx. 95 min.

    • Sensory stimuli

      The event uses nudity, smoke, sometimes thick fog, extreme volume and odours and strobe lighting.

      Some scenes take place in complete darkness.

    • Spatial situation

      Narrowness and height: The event takes place in a room that is characterised by its height and partly exposed positions. Please note that it may be a little cramped in some places. There are 160 steps to negotiate during the course of the event.

      Cloakroom: To ensure a smooth process and a carefree experience, we ask you to come to the event without luggage if possible. If you cannot do without your luggage, please leave it at the cloakroom. Please note that for security reasons, no loose items, including mobile phones, may be taken into the event area.

      Footwear: For your safety, it is necessary to wear sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.

    • Programme

      Further information about the production can be found in the programme flyer. It is also available in printed form at the performances on site.

    • Visit the final rehearsals of "Abendzauber"!
    • RuhrBühnen*Spezial

    Directions and arrival

    Mischanlage, Kokerei Zollverein
    Kokereiallee 71
    45141 Essen

  • Public transport and KombiTicket
  • Directions
  • Travelling by bike
  • Accessibility at the venue

  • Access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Festival team on site
  • Dates and Tickets
    August