»BÖHM«

Karl Böhm was one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. Yet, despite his artistic achievements, the musician was also a controversial figure – due to his complicity during the Nazi era. In 1934, he was appointed music director at the Semperoper in Dresden, succeeding Fritz Busch, whom the Nazi regime had forced to resign and emigrate. In 1943, he became music director of the Vienna State Opera, but after the war, he was dismissed by the Allies and banned from performing, only to be reinstated to this position a second time from 1955 to 1956. Nikolaus Habjan, a gifted puppet player and puppet designer explores this dark chapter of European music history in Böhm. In an outstanding and widely acclaimed theatrical performance with 11 puppets, he brings the conductor's life and work to the stage. Habjan, who plays all the puppets, creates a fascinating psychological portrait – absurd, humorous, deadly serious, and virtuosic.

NIKOLAUS HABJAN PUPPET PLAYER, PUPPET DESIGNER AND DIRECTOR
MARTINA GREDLER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
MARIANNE MEINL, NIKOLAUS HABJAN PUPPET CONSTRUCTION
JULIUS THEODOR SEMMELMANN SCENIC DESIGN
CEDRIC MPAKA COSTUME DESIGN
ROBERT GRAUEL LIGHTING DESIGN
ELISABETH GEYER, KARLA MÄDER DRAMATURGY

Paulus Hochgatterer Böhm

GUEST PERFORMANCE OF THE DEUTSCHES THEATER BERLIN