Anne Frank & Eva Braun

To what extent can humans influence their destiny, or is life eventually just a sum of haphazard events? The opera evening, produced by the Finnish Chamber Opera, highlights the human emotions and thoughts of Anne Frank and Eva Braun, who lived during a tragic and fateful period, from opposite perspectives.

“The unreleased film of Eva Braun” is a premiere of Maritza Núñez’s libretto composed by Pasi Lyytikäinen. The monologue opera is a surreal and absurd description of the aging Eva Braun going through her own life, choices, and emotions. What made young Eva Braun fall in love with Adolf Hitler? Does Eva Braun regret her past decisions and forgotten dreams? The opera is performed by soprano Reetta Ristimäki, known as an expressive actor and singer.

“Anne Frank” is a monologue opera composed by Grigori Frid in 1968, to which the composer himself has written the original libretto based on Anne Frank’s diary and letters. The opera presents touchingly the way of thinking, dreams and hopes for the future of a teenage girl who is reaching adulthood. At the same time, an appalling thought creeps into a consciousness that life could be over before it even has begun. The young girl’s gamut of emotions and the feelings of the era are interpreted by a brilliant soprano Anni Niemelä.

Music: Grigori Frid (Anne Frank) & Pasi Lyytikäinen (Eva Braun)
Libretto: Grigori Frid (Anne Frank) & Maritza Núñez (Eva Braun)
Director: Ville Saukkonen
Costume and set design: Reeta Tuoresmäki
Lighting and video design:  Petteri Pietiäinen
Soloists: Anni Niemelä (Anne Frank) & Reetta Ristimäki (Eva Braun)
Actor: Tero Jartti
Conductors: James Kahane (2.-3.9.) & Emilia Hoving (4.-5.9.)

Accompanied by a nine-piece orchestra
Violin: Mauri Saarikoski
Cello: Liina-Mari Raivola
Double bass: Aleksi Ruonavaara
Flute & piccolo: Livia Schweizer
Clarinet: Kimmo Leppälä
Trumpet: Tintti Simola
Bassoon: Onska Ojanperä
Piano & celesta: Jussi Littunen
Percussions: Tuomo Lassila ​