Composition competition matinee „Rico, Oscar und die Tieferschatten“
Public presentation of the winning pieces
The detective novel ‘Rico, Oscar and the Deep Shadows’, for which the author Andreas Steinhöfel received the German Youth Literature Prize, among others, is the first book in a successful series that revolves around the extraordinary friendship between two very different children, the older, deeply gifted Rico and the younger, highly gifted Oscar.
Following the successful adaptation of the novel ‘Malka Mai’ (premiere in May 2024), the Landesbühnen Sachsen, under the artistic direction of opera director Kai Anne Schuhmacher, announced another composition competition with the aim of staging ‘Rico, Oscar und die Tieferschatten’ as an opera based on a libretto by Christian Schönfelder and once again promoting young composers in this context.
In January 2025, the jury of the Landesbühnen Sachsen selected three finalists from a large number of applications, who will present themselves to the audience and the jury on 9 June 2025 with composed scenes of approx. 15 minutes each.
And the special thing about this event is that you as the audience can be there when the jury announces which of the three finalists will be commissioned to compose the opera, which will be performed at the Landesbühnen Sachsen in 2026.
The three finalists are: Eva Kuhn, Johanna Lohmann, Alexander R. Schweiß
Duration: ca. 3 h, with intermission
Language: German
Please note: A ticket reservation is required for the evening and can be booked here.
Rico, Oscar and the Deep Shadows
Children’s opera based on the book of the same name by Andreas Steinhöfel
Libretto by Christian Schönfelder
World premiere
Rico from Berlin-Kreuzberg describes himself with a certain pride as ‘deeply gifted’, because of course he can think and combine, albeit not always quickly. And he would never put his life in danger without a good reason, like his new friend, the highly gifted Oscar, who allows himself to be captured by the child abductor Mister 2000 in order to test his father’s reaction. Rico learns from the television that Oscar, who suddenly seems to have disappeared, is in the hands of Mister 2000. Without thinking about how dangerous his endeavour is, Rico sets off in search of his friend and discovers his very own abilities and strengths. Because every person, whether highly or deeply gifted – as the opera emphasises – is something very special and, despite all their peculiarities, always has very special talents. From the deep shadows of the abandoned rear building in the courtyard, Rico finally deduces where he can find Oscar, and then rescues him in a daring action.
The jury:
Moritz Eggert, composer and president of the German Composers’ Association
Ekkehard Klemm, chief conductor of the Elbland Philharmonie Sachsen
Elisabeth Naske, composer
Kai Anne Schuhmacher, opera director of the Landesbühnen Sachsen
Hans-Peter Preu, first conductor of the Landesbühnen Sachsen
Gisela Zürner, dramaturge music theatre of the Landesbühnen Sachsen
Iris Stefanie Maier, theatre pedagogue of the Landesbühnen Sachsen
Musical direction: Jan Arvid Prée
Soloists from the Saxon State Theatres and guests
Elbland Philharmonie Sachsen
