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Buy Tickets The Emperor Of Atlantis

Viktor Ullmann’s short opera The Emperor of Atlantis was written when the composer and writer were prisoners at the Terezín concentration camp, and it was first rehearsed by inmates of the camp, all of whom perished when transferred to Auschwitz before the premiere. The score was smuggled out of the camp, and it has been acclaimed in performances around the world as an extraordinary testament of wit and humanity in the face of barbarity.

It is not set in the camp – ironically, this black comedy reflects Ullmann’s experiences as an Austrian soldier in the WWI Italian campaign. In the story, Death, disgusted by war, resolves to go on strike and drives a hard bargain with the Emperor Overall before going back to work.

Ullmann’s score, jazzy and expressive, is full of humour and pathos, and the opera is deeply moving. James Conway’s new production is paired with a poignant staging of Bach’s sublime cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds), arranged by Iain Farrington for Ullmann’s unusual orchestra.

The evening will start at 7.30pm with a 10 minute cycle of songs in response to Terezin written by Helen Chadwick. These will be performed by Vocalis -  Harrogate's leading independent chamber choir (click here for more information on the choir).

There will then be a free pre-show talk.

After a short interval, the main performance of The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. Your ticket entitles you to attend these extra events, but you may attend only the main performance if you would prefer.

The video below of The Emperor's Farewell is sung by Gerard Finley, Tove Dahlberg, Iwona Hossa and Edgaras Montvidas for a BBC memorial video:



New production sung in English
Running time: 2 hours and 5 minutes

Show Dates and Times
Book Tickets online now or ring our box office on 01423 502 116

03 November 2012

7.30pm

Tickets Available

Buy Tickets Pricing Information

Full Price £22
See 2 shows for £40
See all 3 shows for £54

There are limited number of £5 tickets* available for Under 26s for this show.

HURRY! Book your Early Bird tickets* at £10 each before 3 October - there's only a limited number available!

(*max 4 tickets per booking. Grand Hall/Stalls seating only.)

Group discounts (parties of 8 or more) and family tickets are also available. Please contact Box Office for more details.