Goings-On Jan 24, Part I

Instead of wrapping 2023 let's keep on planning 2024

It is a monthly digest of must-sees around Europe for January 2024. Normally January is the time to catch up on everything you’ve missed during pre-holidays rush and get excited about new beginnings (I start fantasising about an unclouded year to come in September and there are too many reasons for that). The first issue of this digest covers 7 events in 3 cities taking place in January. Some of them I’ve already seen, others are selling out quickly, some would be a miracle to attend, some will repeat later next year.

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ZURICH

Jan 1 & 2 / Ballet/ Walkways by Wayne McGregor, Cathy Marston and Jerome Robbins/ OpernHaus Zurich

This almost 3h long performance includes 3 ballets from different choreographers:

Infra: Concept, staging and choreography Wayne McGregor, Music Max Richter, Stage design Julian Opie

Snowblind: Choreography Cathy Marston, Music Amy Beach, Philip Feeney, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt

Glass Pieces: ChoreographyJerome Robbins, MusicPhilip Glass

Last October I flew to Zurich to see Infra by McGregor (and frankly I didn’t look at the rest of the program carefully). But in the end I was fascinated by Robbin’s Glass Pieces. Now I’m extremely curious about Justin Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes to be staged in NYC, which I’m sure is inspired by Glass Pieces.

Until Jan 14th / Exhibition/ Time. From Durer to Bonvicini / Kunsthaus

From the Renaissance to the present day, this fascinating exhibition presents an immense diversity of artworks that, uniquely, are shown in dialogue with watches: timepieces in which perspectives from the natural sciences, sociology and economics are integral, just as they are in the works by over 100 artists on display.

Cristian Marclay’s famous video collage Clocks (2010) immediately came up to my mind; as followed by my favourite piece by Felix Gonzalez-Torres Untitled (Perfect Lovers) (1991); Man Ray’s  Indestructible Object (1923) and Daniel Arsham’s Rose Quartz Eroded Wrist Watch 2 (2023) which has recently been purchased by one of my clients.

Jan 28 / Opera / Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte, directed by Kirill Serebrennikov / OpernHaus Zurich

In Italian with German and English subtitles. Duration approx. 3 H. 20 Min.

When I was 20 I went to see Midsummer Night’s Dream staged by Kirill with his students (most of whom went on to become popular actors). It was like… a magical midsummer night’s dream – I’d never seen anything like this on stage before. Since then Serebrennikov has become an international superstar. I choose to attend everything he produces (unless it's Wagner, who’s just not my cup of tea).

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BERLIN

Jan 3 & 4 / Theater / Yerma by Simon Stone / Schaubuehne

(with English subtitles)

Simon Stone's 'Innocence' was a truly divine experience. This is a Young Vic’ production of 2017. The original show featured Billie Piper with Caroline Peters starring in the German version.

Jan 20, 25, 28, 31 / Opera / Richard Strauss’ Daphne, directed by Romeo Castellucci/ Staatoper unter den Linden

The show premiered last year during Berlinale. My friends and I never regretted seeing it that night. Frankly it’s still not my favourite Castellucci’s piece

Jan 27/ Opera / Written on the Skin by George Benjamin & Martin Crimp, directed by Katie Mitchell / Deutsche Oper

In English with German and English surtitles, Duration 1 h 30 min / No interval

A power combo: Benjamin & Crimp & Mitchell. Katie Mitchel is a rough, beautiful and intelligent director. She hasn’t produced much since Covid. Written on the Skin runs for another 3 days in Feb. I’ll try to see it then.

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GOTHENBURG

Jan 12 & 14 / Ballet / Hammer by Alexander Ekman / GöteborgsOperans

Ekman is a handsome prince of the contemporary dance stage. Love his oeuvre or hate it, his performances will definitely swallow you up and awaken your inner child. By the way, if you don’t know where the hell Gothenburg is on the map and/or don’t want to travel to Sweden in the middle of freezing winter – you’ll be happy to know that Hammer will be touring in 2024 (just keep on following this newsletter to get more news soon).

It turns out there is no way I can fit everything I’ve selected (which I consider not much at all) in one letter – Substack says it’s too heavy for your inboxes. But no worries, you will receive another letter soon (hope you are as excited about getting it as I am about sending).

Yours,

Miri

PS. Please, take a second to participate in the pool below xx