The Tears of the Knife in art film Struggle with the devil

Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin recorded the Martinů opera The Tears of the Knife, H 169 as a part of art film Struggle with the Devil (Im Kampf mit dem Teufel). Director Frederic Wake-Walker and visual artist Ergo Phizmiz bring to expressionistic life the one-act operas Sancta Susanna by Paul Hindemith and Slzy Nože (The Tears of the Knife) by Bohuslav Martinů, as well as the contemporary orchestral work Sinuous Voices by Ondřej Adámek. Through collages and animations rich in references and innuendos, in combination with footage shot both in the Green Screen Studio and in the Kleiner Sendesaal of the rbb in February, an associative visual world is opened up that is inspired by the 1920s and congenially presents both music and content.

Martinů Revue No. 3 will include an interview led by Aleš Březina with Kateřina Kněžíková and Markéta Cukrová, who took part in this unconventional project.

Programme

Paul Hindemith: Sancta Susanna – Opera in one act
Ondřej Adámek: Sinuous Voices for ensemble
Bohuslav Martinů: Slzy Nože (The Knife's Tears) – Opera in one act

Robin Ticciati Conductor
Hans Graf Conductor

Kateřina Kněžíková Soprano (Eleonora)
Markéta Cukrová Mezzo-soprano (Mutter)
Lucia Lucas bass baritone (Satan)
Melanie Diener Soprano (Susanna, Hindemith)
Lioba Braun Mezzo-soprano (Klementia, Hindemith)
Ewa Wolak Alto (Alte Nonne, Hindemith)
Elisabeth-Marie Leistikow Narrator (A Maid, Hindemith)
Bastian von Bomches Narrator (A Servant, Hindemith)

Frederic Wake-Walker Director
Ergo Phizmiz Collage, Animation and Design

Cantus Domus and ensemberlino vocale Choirs
Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin

More information: https://www.dso-berlin.de/en/media/watch-listen/player/struggle-with-the-devil/