Heartfelt project

Figure theatre and chamber music as one: actress Janna Mohr and composer Helena Winkelman recreate Grillparzer’s novella with the franz ensemble and tell the bizarre life story of a tragic clown who goes to ruin because of his idealism, which is as noble as it is impractical. Sounds, music stands, instrument parts and shadows take on a life of their own and grow together to form the backdrop of a turbulent folk festival. There, Grillparzer’s “anthropological ravenous hunger” ignites at the sight of an old boy smiling and absorbed in his terrible violin playing. The play is a playful love story and a social study at the same time – which is reflected in the music, which borrows a lot from old Viennese songs and dances. On the one hand, it brings Grillparzer’s time (and thus also Schubert’s) to life and, on the other, allows for maximum contrast with the newly composed sounds, which are sometimes a flood of water, sometimes a lonely night walk, sometimes an agitated speech, sometimes a slap in the face scene. The concert evening will open with Beethoven’s Septet op. 20, which also bears unmistakable echoes of its creation in Vienna.

Friday, 12 March 2023, Tabaksquartier Bremen
Der arme Spielmann – world premiere by Helena Winkelman. A commissioned composition by the franz ensemble.
L. v. Beethoven: Septet in E flat major op. 20
Janna Mohr, play & concept / Sebastian Ryser, direction / franz ensemble

Sunday, 12 March 2023, Cinema at the Delphi (Berlin-Weissensee)
Der arme Spielmann – Berlin premiere by Helena Winkelman. A commissioned work by the franz ensemble
L. v. Beethoven: Septet in E flat major op. 20 J
anna Mohr, play & concept / Sebastian Ryser, direction / franz ensemble