Feierliche Eröffnung

Opening speech

Clemens Meyer, born 1977 in Halle (Saale), is one of the most influential voices in contemporary German literature. In 2006 his debut novel "Als wir träumten" was published, followed by "Die Nacht, die Lichter. Stories" (2008), the novel "Im Stein" (2013) and the Frankfurt Poetics Lectures (2016). Meyer has received numerous prizes, including the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. "Im Stein" was shortlisted for the German Book Prize, was awarded the Bremen Literature Prize and nominated for the Man Booker International Prize 2017. "Als wir träumten" was filmed for the cinema and "In den Gänge" was filmed after its narrative; both films ran in the competition of the Berlinale. In 2017 the short stories "Die stillen Trabanten" were published.
Now Clemens Meyer comes to the Ruhrfestspiele and, following Judith Schalansky last year, gives the opening speech.

Im Anschluss:

Tao of Glass

by Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott
Co-direction: Phelim McDermott and Kirsty Housley
Koproduktion with Manchester International Festival
German Premiere

Composer Philip Glass and performer-director Phelim McDermott have worked together on acclaimed opera productions in London, New York and beyond, and “Tao of Glass” is their most personal collaboration yet.

Inspired by a dream, this production marries ten meditations on life, death, and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music from Glass, presented by McDermott with an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers. Part-concert, part-performance, Tao of Glass is a storytelling tapestry, soundtracked by Glass’s mesmerising music and shot through with Improbable’s trademark theatricality. It is a vivid exploration of life, loss and a single question:
Where does true inspiration come from?

Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in association with Naomi Milgrom AO. Produced by Manchester International Festival and Improbable.