The Jewish-Austrian composer Oscar Straus had his Woman Who Knows What She Wants! sing “Why shouldn’t a woman have an affair” and with that, did not only compose a masterpiece that embodies the operetta style of the Weimar Republic, but also reflected the new image of women from that time – lascivious, fresh and bold. As one of the most successful composers of operettas in the 1920s and 1930s, he created, together with the librettist Alfred Grünwald, a touching piece that still, 100 years later, is a moving celebration of life and love – a brilliant guest performance by the Komische Oper Berlin that throws away all kinds of clichés about roles, fusillade of marches, waltzes, foxtrots and chansons from the pen of Oscar Straus.
A Woman Who Knows What She Wants!
Operetta in two acts (1932) by Oscar Straus
In a breathless tour de force, the consummate performers Dagmar Manzel and Max Hopp act and sing their way through 20 characters using power and slapstick. The glamour queen and operetta diva Manon Cavallini can turn the head of any man.
(Original title: Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will!)
Subject to change
Programline
Contributors
Barrie Kosky (Production)
Adam Benzwi (Musical Direction)
Dagmar Manzel, Max Hopp (Acting/Singing)
Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin
Celestine Kubelka (Project Management)
Sonja Zobel (Head of Programme Performing Arts)
Where
When
January 2024
