Work of the Week - Christian Jost: Hamlet

On June 21st, Berlin’s Komische Oper celebrates the world premiere of Christian Jost's Hamlet. The "12 musical tableaux after William Shakespeare" are a commission of the Komische Oper. Andreas Homoki, in addition to directing, also designed the set; Carl St. Clair is responsible for the musical direction, and Stella Doufexis sings the title role.

Both composers and directors agree: Shakespeare's Hamlet presents us with a timeless subject that, through its numerous and frequent interpretations, compels us to interpret and present it anew. Jost comments:

"Of course the world needs a Hamlet opera. It will always need one. The exploration of Hamlet will manifest itself in different ways—in opera, cinema or visual arts, for example. ‘Hamlet’ is a work that packs so much into itself, culminating in an unrelenting clarification of the basic human condition. So long as humanity exists, there will be a dialogue with this work. This opera—my contribution to the tree that is Shakespeare—is but one of many branches, and I hope it will only add to its growth."

Characteristic of Jost’s approach to Hamlet is the way he treats its characters: the role of Hamlet is written for mezzo-soprano; the ghost is a chorus of six male voices; Rosenkranz and Guildenstern (alto and tenor) are dressed as two clowns; and the cast is supplemented by 12 internal voices, which repeat and comment on the musical figures and dialogue. With these characterizations, Jost equally emphasizes the inner world and confronts the external world with his internal exploration.

Jost’s dedication to this project began when he was still a teenager, when he first discovered this piece. "Since that moment I have always had plans to make musical theater out of it. But not to make a piece like the manifold and diverse versions which already have paid homage to the original; I wanted to find my own way on the journey of the transformation of Shakespeare’s speech to musical gesture."

• Christian Jost - Profile
• Komische Oper Berlin