Grimeborn at the Arcola - Dalston's Festival of Opera With Attitude

The Emperor of Atlantis
An opera in one act by Viktor Ullmann, English version by Sonja Lyndon

In this allegory on fascism, the automated slaughter of modern warfare has replaced the art of dying naturally, a state of total conflict predominates and an allegorical 'Death' resigns. As war rages soldiers are 'gifted' with a state of eternal fighting and eternal life. A soldier and a maiden, both unable to die, find solace and sensual understanding in love and turn their backs on war. The subjects rebel against their state of purgatory and the Emperor calls on 'Death' who agrees to return if the Emperor (The Butcher of Europe) will be the first to die.

The Emperor of Atlantis is a perturbing and Absurdist reaction to the extreme nature of fascism and the state of Nazi Germany with a deep contradiction in the harmony and emotion of the music and the sense of extremity of the time. The contrast between the horrors of the subject and the beauty of the sound is conflicting and stirring, reflecting the era, the appalling nature of death and the numbers killed during Hitler's rule.

The line 'thou shalt not take the name of death in vain' is undoubtedly a comment on Nazi Germany. The weight of the subject matter and the overwhelming power of the music is a genuinely stirring and alternative expression of this period in history and any period of extreme killing.

Directed by Max Hoen and incorporating atmospheric lighting design by Edmund Sutton, the production is staged with orchestra 'side on' enabling the audience to face performers and musicians, not always possible in opera. With the full power of the music in the final scenes, this view is fascinating. Thomas Humphreys a bright young performer with a stunning voice is an imposing Emperor, Osian Gwyn as 'the loudspeaker' delivers the narrative with resonating and unrestrained Welshness - and a pleasing naturalness to his performance. Melanie Sanders gives the suggestion of Nazi aspirations towards glamour and the violent rejection of this notion with a controlled and winning stage presence. All the company members not only achieve an accomplished vocal triumph, they perform the story in a well choreographed and moving production.

DINEO Opera Company present 'imaginative stagings of contemporary or lesser known works'. They produce physical, experimental productions and give opportunities to young performers at the start of their careers.

www.dineo.org

Bryony Hegarty