‘Hamburg Opera Debuts World Premiere: ‘Monster’s Paradise’ Satirizes Trump’

The world premiere of “Monster’s Paradise,” presented by the Hamburg State Opera, took place recently. This opera, a collaborative effort between composer Olga Neuwirth and playwright Elfriede Jelinek, satirizes U.S. President Donald Trump through a larger-than-life character known as The President-King.

Significance of the Premiere

Tobias Kratzer, the artistic director of the Hamburg State Opera, expressed his disbelief over the timely relevance of the opera. He noted, “The metaphor has become a reality,” indicating how closely the satire mirrors current political situations.

Creative Background

• Elfriede Jelinek: A 79-year-old Nobel Prize-winning author, this is her first collaboration with Neuwirth in two decades.
• Olga Neuwirth: At 57, she won the 2022 Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition, marking her as a significant figure in contemporary opera.

Performance Details

The opera, inspired by Alfred Jarry’s 1896 play “Ubu Roi,” features a variety of colorful characters and extravagant staging. It includes a 19th-century satire coalesced into a modern setting, with The President-King’s representation symbolizing authority and excess.

The Cast and Characters

• The President-King: Portrayed by Georg Nigl.
• Gorgonzilla: An antagonistic monster sung by Anna Clementi.
• Vampi and Bampi: Representations of the authors, sung by Sarah Defrise and Kristina Stanek.
• Adjutants: Mickey and Tuckey, resembling Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, sung by Andrew Watts and Eric Jurenas.

Thematic Elements

Characters confront themes of power, vanity, and dystopia, as evidenced in scenes featuring a lavish Oval Office and outlandish costumes. The President-King boasts absurd achievements while surrounded by an over-the-top stage design created by Rainer Sellmaier.

Public Reception and Future Performances

The opera runs for six performances through February 19, with future shows scheduled in Zurich from March 8 to April 12 and at Oper Graz in Austria next season. An audio recording of the performance is also anticipated.

Composer’s Insights

Neuwirth, who composed for a diverse orchestra, remarked on the fear humor evokes in those in power. She expressed concerns about potential repercussions from U.S. authorities while Jelinek dismissed worries about being a “small, unimportant European woman.”

Conclusion

“Monster’s Paradise” finds itself at the intersection of art and current events, humorously critiquing a presidency perceived as both surreal and grotesque. This premiere successfully achieves its goal of satire while resonating with contemporary audiences.