The Threepenny Opera

Zorlu Center Performing Arts Center

Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts presents the Istanbul audience Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera, as staged by one of Europe's leading theatre companies, the Berliner Ensemble and directed by Robert Wilson. Having sold-out performances on every tour, The Threepenny Opera will be at the Zorlu Performing Arts Centre Main Stage on 13 May Friday and 14 May Saturday.

On Friday May 13th at 16:30 in Pera Museum, there will be a panel meeting with Claus Peymann, the artistic director of the legendary German theatre company Berliner Ensemble that will perform The Threepenny Opera in Istanbul, with the collaboration of Pera Museum, moderated by Prof. Dr. Dikmen Gürün.

On Saturday May 14th at 17:30 in Pera Museum, a panel meeting will take place with Robert Wilson, the director of The Threepenny Opera, with the collaboration of Pera Museum. There will be a short introduction by Prof. Dr. Dikmen Gürün at the panel meeting with the ingenious artist Robert Wilson, also known as a stage wizard, and it will be moderated by Köken Ergun, a video artist who has worked with Robert Wilson between the years of 1997-2000 and whose work has since been exhibited at international museums and festivals.

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Bertolt Brecht is the leading 20th century German poet, playwright, theatre director, and founder of the Berliner Ensemble and he is recognized as the creator of the Epic Theatre. Brecht's contemporary adaptation of English writer John Gay's barnburner The Beggar's Opera of 1728 has never lost its relevance and is regarded as one of the milestones in theatre history. A musical show that brings together theatre and design phenomenally, The Threepenny Opera depicts the world of antiheros full of adventures, not only shedding light on the past, but also interpreting the present from a different viewpoint by addressing concrete facts of today. The play questions morals and displays the horrors of war, while never compromising on its rich musicality and wit.

The Threepenny Opera will be performed by Brecht's Berliner Ensemble itself with Robert Wilson as the director. Renowned for his original stage aesthetics and his mastery in creating diverse worlds in his productions, Robert Wilson here once again interweaves dance, movement, light, text, and design to the utmost effect. Kurt Weill's music for the play, which has become an indispensable part of popular culture, will be performed live by an orchestra.

A lyrical text serious yet boisterous, sarcastic and yet emotional, The Threepenny Opera contains ample parody and irony, which amuses its audience, while making them think. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and with the contribution of the music, it turns into a true musical feast. For its excellent cast, perfect music, and rich costumes, The Threepenny Opera will be an unforgettable for the Istanbul audience.

A Stage Wizard: Robert Wilson

The genius interpreter of the theatre, American director Robert Wilson is world renowned for his theatre and opera productions, as well as interdisciplinary projects. Regarded as a stage wizard, Wilson has worked with the Bastille Opera, Odeon Theatre, BAM, Lincoln Center, Berliner Ensemble, and at the festivals of Athens and Avignon among others. His powerful, striking productions at the Istanbul Theatre Festival has always attracted great attention and was received with much critical acclaim. He has collaborated with artists from a vast variety of disciplines and genres, including Giorgio Armani, Lady Gaga, Tom Waits, Lou Reed, William Dafoe, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Arvo Pärt, and Philip Glass. Hailed as "a towering figure in the world of experimental theater" by The New York Times, Wilson is the recipient of numerous international awards, including the Olivier Award. He also received the Honorary Award of the Istanbul Theatre Festival in 1998.

A Major School in Theatre: Berliner Ensemble

Founded by Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel in 1949, the Berliner Ensemble is unquestionably the strongest representative of the contemporary German theatre. Its repertoire consists of not only Brecht, but also some of the leading playwrights in history such as Shakespeare, Schiller, and Büchner. The Berliner Ensemble has collaborated with distinguished directors, including Heiner Müller, Peter Stein, Luc Bondy, Claus Peymann, and Robert Wilson.

As of 21 January, tickets for the show will be available everyday on Biletix sales channels and at the IKSV main box office (without service charge) every day except sunday between 10.00-18.00. Pre-sales for Tulip Card Holders will be on 18 January for the Black and White Tulip members and on 19-20 January for Red and Yellow Tulip members. Tulip Card Holders are entitled to special discounts up to 25%.