For Immediate Release
Ottawa, September 9, 1996... Viktor Ulimann's opera, The Emperor of Atlantis, will be performed in the Theatre of the National Arts Centre on October 22-23-24 1996 by the Austrian ensemble, Arbos.
The work was written while its composer, Ullmann and the librettist, Peter Kien were interned by Nazis in the Theresienstadt concentration camp in the Czech city of Terezin. It is the focus of a grass roots public education effort on Theresienstadt and the capacity of the victims to maintain their cultural and spiritual life in the face of the horror of the Holocaust. These are issues that are vital to us still today. By remembering, we resist those who would efface human differences and their allies, Holocaust deniers.
Arbos, under the artistic leadership of Herbert Gantschacher, is highly acclaimed for its interpretation of 20th century music. Established in Salzburg, Austria, the company has been the subject of articles and feature broadcasts on European radio and television. For their 1993 Austrian premiere of Ullmann's opera, Arbos was awarded the prestigious "Music Theatre Performance of the Year" award in Prague. It is this production, with original singers, musicians and set designs, which will be presented in Ottawa.
In his colourful score, Ullmann blends jazz with traditional and avant-garde styles and cites classical composers such as J.S. Bach, Josef Suk, Antonin Dvorak, Gustav Mahler and Joseph Haydn.
The presentation of this opera in Canada will mark the first North American production of the original score, an event that promises to be an outstanding and historical musical experience of a unique master work.
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