They were intended to be a happy festival of sports in the name of peace: the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. But disaster struck before the eyes of the world: Israeli athletes were murdered during an attack; Germany had been unable to protect its guests. Taking this historical event as its point of departure, the new opera Israel in München directly addresses us today – as an urgent warning of the consequences of hatred and ignorance, as a rousing appeal for humanity and dialogue.

The opera Israel in München, commissioned by the State Opera of Hanover, will be produced by a first-rate team: The libretto was written by Roland Schimmelpfennig, one of the most often performed dramatists of our times who most recently caused a sensation with his series of adaptations of ancient dramas titled Anthropolis at Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg. The works of composer and percussionist Michael Wertmüller have seen their world premieres at Lucerne Festival, Hamburgische Staatsoper or Ruhrtriennale, and he has worked with Christoph Schlingensief among other artists. Michael Wertmüller’s music is celebrated for its overwhelming emotional directness and his fascinating rhythms captivate the audience from the very first bar.

Israel in München will be directed by Lydia Steier who has already celebrated successes with her productions of La Juive and Die Hochzeit des Figaro at the State Opera of Hanover. Titus Engel, a renowned conductor and expert of contemporary music, will be in charge of the musical direction of this opera, an opportunity for the State Opera’s company of soloists as well as its choir to shine. Furthermore, Corinna Harfouch, one of the most acclaimed German actors, will appear in Hanover.