Debut performance

After the founding of the euro-scene in 1991, the Schauspiel Leipzig took part every year with an »entry of its own choice«. In the course of time, both sides have striven to make the aesthetic and thematic co-ordination of this nice tradition even better. As a result, for the first time within the festival and with respect to its motto, the Schauspiel will be putting on a première performance.

»mund + knie« (mouth + knee) as a series of sound experiments in connection with theatre has elicited thunderous applause from audiences since its first showing in October 2002. After four episodes, all created and directed by Thomas Hertel, »mund + knie 5« will now take the stage.

Born in 1951 in Bad Salzungen, Thomas Hertel studied musicology and composition. He was the Artistic director of theatre music at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden and moved to West Germany in 1985. Hertel later lived in Vienna and in Alsace. He has directed the theatre music at the Schauspiel Leipzig since the autumn of 2002. His many compositions include independent projects and works for radio. His major projects in the last years: »Cernunnos« (szenische Komposition für 7 Rohrspieler, Stiere and Live-Elektronik, Donaueschingen), »aus der erde durch den wind« (FreiluftMusic, Luzern), »Das Biest des Monsieur Racine« (Cartoon-Opera, Basel).