Kurt Weill Festival: Zaubernacht & Mahagonny Songspiel

The Maryland Opera Studio juxtaposes two of Weill’s earliest works for the stage — Zaubernacht (1922) and Mahagonny Songspiel (1927). Translating to "magic night," Zaubernacht is an enchanting work for solo soprano and chamber orchestra about a magical fairy who brings toys to life, featuring dance students from the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies.

During intermission, the audience will be asked to exit as the entire theatre will be transformed into a film studio for the second opera. Mahagonny Songspiel is a scenic cantata that explores an unhealthy obsession with media and personalities. This work also marks the beginning of Kurt Weill's collaborations with Bertolt Brecht.