Sun, May 18, 2025, 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm | Main Stage Premiere

Unsuk Chin

Die dunkle Seite des Mondes

Introduction at 5.20 pm

Dr. Kieron is a brilliant scientist, respected and feared by his colleagues. But what nobody suspects is that every night he is haunted in his dreams by three recurring beings, enigmatic numbers and mysterious symbols, which he experiences with unbearably intense feelings. It is from these apparitions that he receives his scientific visions - the fundamental basis of his success. He also leads a double life. A highly respected scientist by day, he dives into the shady underworld at night in a restless search for human happiness. But his control over himself is slipping away. In order to satisfy his irrepressible urge for scientific knowledge and an emotionally fulfilling life, Kieron wants to have his dreams analyzed and enters into an alliance with the diabolical master Astaroth, with fatal consequences. Unsuk Chin drew inspiration for her second opera from the life and work of the legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli and his relationship with the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. Faustian material for the 21st century.

Musical Direction: Kent Nagano
Production: Dead Centre
Stage: Jeremy Herbert
Costumes: Janina Brinkmann
Lighting: James Farncombe
Video: Sophie Lux
Dramaturgy: Angela Beuerle, Michael Sangkuhl

Commissioned by the State Opera Hamburg with the support of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation

Opera in two acts and ten pictures
Based on a fictional story by the composer, inspired by the relationship
between Wolfgang Pauli and Carl Gustav Jung

In German with German and English surtitles
Supported by the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung