Hans Werner Henze: Das Floß der Medusa

ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Vienna, Austria

Hans Werner Henze’s oratory Das Floß der Medusa is one of the most important works in the post-war era. The initial premiere in Hamburg in 1968 got lost in the heated atmosphere and in a two-hour commotion – including the deployment of police – with only the recording of the dress rehearsal remaining intact. The actual premiere then followed in 1971 at Wiener Musikverein performed by the ORF – Symphony Orchestra.

Five years after Henze’s death the oratory, that deals with the case of the sunken warship “Medusa” in 1816, will be performed again in Vienna by a star-studded line-up. The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation will be supporting the repeat performance of the oratory under the direction of Cornelius Meister. In an alliance between the broadcaster ORF, Festival Wien modern as well as Vienna’s Konzerthaus the performance is planned for November 2017, as is a live radio broadcast as well as television recordings.

November 2, 2017

Further Information:

www.rso.orf.at