“Lulu,” based on two provocative plays by Frank Wedekind is a lurid mix of power, sexual obsession, violence and sardonic humor, Berg’s Expressionist drama places huge demands on singers and orchestra alike. Berg wrote the opera, his second, between roughly 1930 and 1935, leaving it unfinished at his death. For years it was known only by its first two acts though the third act was virtually complete in short score and much of its orchestration had been completed for the suite Berg had extracted from the opera for concert purposes. Berg’s widow refused access to the manuscript, however, and it was only on her death, in 1976, that advances could be made toward realizing a complete performing version of the opera.
“Powerfully impressive…fearless in its dramatic imagination.”
“The West Edge production, deftly directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer, mines the work with a bold staging.”
“Lulu unexpectedly came to life…vivid and unforgettable.”
-OPERA NEWS
“Elkhanah Pulitzer’s stage direction…respected Berg’s indications almost to the letter.”
