Rehoboth film society to present Met broadcast of ‘Wozzeck’ Jan. 20, 21
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is proud to present the Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD broadcast of Alban Berg’s first opera and harrowing masterpiece “Wozzeck” Monday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. Note that screenings are held at the Cinema Art Theater and will be shown as a recorded presentation after being filmed live.
One of the emblematic achievements of the thriving artistic forces in Germany and Austria during the brief period between world wars, “Wozzeck” was a sensation and a scandal at its premiere. Remarkably, it has lost none of its power to fascinate, shock and engage audiences, and its status as one of the defining musical works of the 20th century has not blunted its vitality.
“Wozzeck” is the drama of a common soldier who, through relentless dehumanization and systematic humiliation, is driven to insanity and the murder of his mistress. Its subject matter resonated with the German public traumatized by the First World War and its aftermath, but the work’s scope reaches far beyond that, making it a monument to the alienation and angst of modern life. Berg’s score encapsulates the artistic ideals of Expressionism in music - emphasizing the unseen and the subconscious by focusing on the symbolic rather than the concrete. The characters’ highly charged, exaggerated words and music reveal the drama’s inner truth.
Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin is on the podium for this important event, with baritone Peter Mattei making his highly anticipated role debut as the title character. Soprano Elza van den Heever is Wozzeck’s unfaithful mate, and the commanding cast also includes tenor Christopher Ventris as the Drum-Major, bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Doctor, and tenor Gerhard Siegel as the Captain.
In addition to the opera performance, the Live in HD series features Met opera stars conducting live interviews with cast and/or various production crew members while showing behind-the-scene workings. This production is the fifth in The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season.
Admission for The Met: Live in HD broadcasts is $25 for adults; $22 for RBFS members, Met members, and seniors (65+); $15 for students (with ID) and children (12 and under). Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater 30 minutes before the screening.
For more information on this series, other events, or to become a member, visit rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.
