The new opera Der rote Wal. Ein deutsches Herbstmärchen (The red whale. A German autumn-fairy tale) by Vivan and Ketan Bhatti will premiere on June 18 at Staatsoper Stuttgart. Marit Strindlund will conduct the Staatsorchester Stuttgart and the Staatsopernchor Stuttgart, with Martin G. Berger directing and Sarah-Katharina Karl responsible for stage design.
Transcending the boundaries of traditional opera, Der rote Wal blends musical theatre, political commentary, and myth. The libretto, written by German rapper Maeckes (Markus Winter), frames the story as a fairy tale. At its center is Gladis, an orca who rebels against the environmental destruction caused by cruise ships and yachts.
The opera connects present and past, drawing inspiration from real orca incidents near Gibraltar in 2024 while being set against the historical backdrop of the RAF (Red Army Fraction) and Stammheim trials of the 1970s. Der rote Wal reflects on how past political struggles continue to resonate with today’s questions about protest and systemic critique, exploring themes of resistance, power, violence, and utopia.
In addition to an introductory talk with the creative team, Staatsoper Stuttgart will host a series of events focusing on and discussing the Stammheim trials and their political significance in the city, taking place from June 1 – 13.
After the premiere, five performances will follow until July 22. The opera will return next season with seven performances scheduled between December 17 and January 22, 2026.
For more information, please see the website of Staatsoper Stuttgart.
