Being Clara (20 Jahre Treppenhausorchester)

An intimate concert experience centered on the famous Romantic-era pianist and composer. 

In a grand, musical-theatrical concert featuring works by Clara and Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, the Treppenhausorchester takes the audience into hidden aspects of Clara Schumann’s life. First, a child prodigy. Later, a music star in all of Europe’s major cities. An acclaimed pianist, self-manager, passionate lover, and exhausted pillar of a crumbling family. 

With BEING CLARA, the Treppenhausorchester, together with pianist Danae Doerken and actors Pauline Rénevier and Daniel Nerlich, explores the heart, mind, and hands of the great pianist and composer Clara Schumann through scenes that blend performance and concert. BEING CLARA—hear her voice, which still resonates powerfully today. You’ll experience how Clara thought, doubted, and hoped. How her love burned—and how heavy the burden became as Robert’s severe mental illness pushed her ever deeper into responsibility. How did she manage to survive as an artist—as a woman—in a patriarchal world?   

CAST: 

Treppenhausorchester 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR Thomas Posth 

PIANO Danae Dörken 

ACTRESS Pauline Rénevier 

ACTOR Daniel Nerlich 

CONCEPT Volker Bürger & Thomas Posth   

TEXT & DIRECTION Volker Bürger 

COSTUMES by Margarete Albinger