Video language: German with English subtitles

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The Kiel Opera House and Cristóbal Halffter can look back on a long and highly successful collaboration. In Kiel, Halffter’s Don Quijote was performed for the first time in Germany, and the Opera House celebrated its 100th anniversary with the world première of his opera Lázaro.

On 18 May 2013, yet another world première takes place: Halffter has composed Schachnovelle, based on Stefan Zweig’s novella [The Royal Game] (libretto: Wolfgang Haendeler), an opera in one act.

Cristóbal Halffter: “One can be a physical wreck, but mental deterioration is the worst. Dr. B, the protagonist, struggles against that total mental deterioration by playing a game. That is the great thing – that playing a game is so important.”

Schachnovelle (2010-2012)
Opera in one act | 115’
4 3 4 3 - 4 4 4 1 - perc(4), alto sax(Eb), t.sax(Bb), e.pno - vln. I (12-16), vln. II (12-14), vla. (10-12), vc. (8-10), cb. (6-8)
World première: 18/5/2013 Kiel; Philharmonisches Orchester Kiel, cond. Georg Fritzsch
Further performances: 23/5/2013, 2, 6, 11 and 19/6/2013

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The Spanish première of In tempore belli, Schachnovelle's interlude, is on 24/4/2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In tempore belli (2012)
for orchestra
Spanish première, 24/4/2013, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, cond. Georg Fritzsch