Clivia
An influential financial magnate, a Hollywood diva, an undercover president, an eccentric inventor, a passionate reporter - all gather under the shimmering Latin American sun of the fictional state of Boliguay. The passionate reporter is Louis Londres, who has dreamed of becoming a world-famous journalist and writing a front-page story for The New York Times. How will Louis navigate between a secret conspiracy, a political crisis and some delicate romantic entanglements?
Nico Dostal’s Berlin operetta from 1933 combines all the ingredients for an absurdly fast-paced operetta, brimming with wit and carried by melodies that linger long in the ear. For Theater Magdeburg’s new production based on the 2014 production of Komische Oper Berlin, musical director Kai Tietje refreshes the score and, together with director Julien Chavaz and dramaturg Christoph Clausen, shapes a contemporary interpretation of the fantastic storyline. The production team and cast create a modern fairy tale that boldly balances dream and reality. Between Hollywood glamour and Latin American revolution, there unfolds a turbulent game of power, morality and imagination.
CAST
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Clivia Gray
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Anja Backus
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Juan Damigo
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Andreas Bongard
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Louis Londres, Lelio Down
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Carmen Steinert
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Generalin Yola Damigo
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Jeanett Neumeister
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Entrepreneur E. W. Potterton
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Benjamin Sommerfeld
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Gustav Kasulke, Grandma
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Undine Dreißig
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Caudillo / Diaz
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Vincent Casagrande
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Rodrigo Actor, Commander Valdivio
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Niklas Hummel
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Grandpa
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Rainer Frank
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Three Gauchos
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Saemchan Lee
Lei Shi
Pawel Stanislawow
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Three Men
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Florian Dethleffsen
Frank Heinrich
Alejandro Muñoz Castillo
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Orchestra
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Magdeburgische Philharmonie
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Chorus
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Opernchor des Theaters Magdeburg
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Ballet
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Ballett Theater Magdeburg
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Music
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Nico Dostal
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Text
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Charles Amberg
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Director
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Julien Chavaz
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Conductor and arrangement
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Kai Tietje
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Sets
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Mariia Bokovnia
Julien Chavaz
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Costumes
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Jean-Jacques Delmotte
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Choreography
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Daniel Daniela Ojeda Yrureta
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Dramaturgy
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Christoph Clausen
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Lights
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Eloi Gianini
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Chorus master
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Martin Wagner
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In a new version by Julien Chavaz, Christoph Clausen and Kai Tietje based on the 2014 version by the Komische Oper Berlin.
Performance rights: Felix Bloch Erben GmbH & Co.KG, Berlin, on behalf of Richard Birnbach Musikverlag.
VIDEOS
STORY
Eight-year-old Louis Londres has a big dream: one day, he wants to become a famous reporter – with his story featured on the front page of The New York Times! While his grandfather barely pays attention to this wish, his grandmother shares some wise advice before urging him to hurry – the school bus is waiting! But Louis has already fallen asleep again. It will be some time before we meet him again as a teenager and young adult.
First, the dream of the big headline begins: Louis' dream takes us straight onto a film set on the border of Boliguay. Filming is underway – until suddenly the leading actor, Mr. Banks, disappears. He has left overnight, leaving behind only a mysterious letter. Hollywood star Clivia Gray is baffled: what does Banks mean by 'shady dealings'?
The enigmatic producer E. W. Potterton enlightens her: a revolution in Boliguay has overthrown the corrupt ruler with whom Potterton had profitable agreements. All the money he paid to the former government is now lost! But the tough entrepreneur is not discouraged – quite the opposite. He hatches a new plan: under the pretense of shooting a film in Boliguay, he aims to bring the deposed dictator back to power through a military coup.
Louis, who appears in his dream as reporter Lelio Down, senses a sensation. What a story! A genuine political scandal! Only a love story is missing – so Lelio lends fate a helping hand.
To obtain a work permit for the film crew in Boliguay, Clivia Gray must marry a local. But who could that be? Perhaps the mysterious gaucho Juan Damigo?
First, however, Lelio encounters Generalin Yola, leader of the guerrilla troupe “Tanzballett Kommando Spitze,” and is instantly captivated – by her adventurous life, and perhaps also by her. Meanwhile, Juan reluctantly agrees to marry Clivia. Together with the eccentric Berlin inventor Kasulke, they all cross the border into Boliguay.
In the capital, a lavish ball is hosted by Potterton. At midnight, the coup is to take place. Preparations are in full swing: three military officers have already been bribed, but Potterton has overlooked intelligence chief Diaz and his dim-witted commander Valdivio. Meanwhile, Lelio secretly photographs the conspirators – perfect material for his story.
As the clock strikes midnight, Potterton proclaims the 'New Boliguay.' But the coup fails spectacularly: the supposed gaucho Juan Damigo turns out to be none other than President Olivero, leader of the revolution. He has Potterton and Clivia arrested and confiscates the marriage certificate. Yet he cannot rejoice in his victory – for he has already fallen in love with Clivia. Lelio holds the perfect front-page story in his hands and is moments away from flying to New York. But the game is not over: President Olivero still lacks proof of the conspiracy, and new danger looms.
Should Lelio depart – disregarding his love for Generalin Yola? Or might there still be a happy ending?
GALLERY
