Die dunkle Seite des Mondes
Hamburgische Staatsoper, Großes Haus (Hamburg)
Dr. Kieron is a brilliant scientist, respected and feared by his colleagues. But what nobody suspects is that every night he is haunted in his dreams by three recurring beings, enigmatic numbers and mysterious symbols, which he experiences with unbearably intense feelings. It is from these apparitions that he receives his scientific visions - the fundamental basis of his success. He also leads a double life. A highly respected scientist by day, he dives into the shady underworld at night in a restless search for human happiness. But his control over himself is slipping away. In order to satisfy his irrepressible urge for scientific knowledge and an emotionally fulfilling life, Kieron wants to have his dreams analyzed and enters into an alliance with the diabolical master Astaroth, with fatal consequences. Unsuk Chin drew inspiration for her second opera from the life and work of the legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli and his relationship with the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. Faustian material for the 21st century. Musical Direction: Kent Nagano Production: Dead Centre Stage: Jeremy Herbert Costumes: Janina Brinkmann Lighting: James Farncombe Video: Sophie Lux Dramaturgy: Angela Beuerle, Michael Sangkuhl Commissioned by the State Opera Hamburg with the support of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation Opera in two acts and ten pictures Based on a fictional story by the composer, inspired by the relationship between Wolfgang Pauli and Carl Gustav Jung