Es ist nicht leicht, es ist nicht leicht, es ist nicht leicht!

In the organizer's words:

"It's not easy, it's not easy, it's not easy!" sighs and sings from the deepest dungeon in Beethoven's liberation opera "Fidelio". In the new piece by [in]operabilities, three protagonists also sigh, sing and gesticulate in the not-so-deep orchestra pit of an abandoned opera house - and search for freedom and connection.

After "A Singthing", "Die Insel" and "Die Wellen", the music theater collective [in]operabilities is now devoting itself to "liberation opera" as a theme and genre and creating a multi-sensory music theater with "Es ist nicht leicht, es ist nicht leicht, es ist nicht leicht!". Strengthened by the utopian pathos of the later deaf composer Beethoven, the three performers develop a joint musical practice that combines and addresses different styles of perception. From sound and vibration, singing and sign language poetry, from light, touch and sung audio description, forms of music-making emerge that explore what opera can be.

What do we feel trapped in? What do we want to free ourselves from? Can we remain connected, vulnerable and free in the face of a catastrophic present? Can music help?

Director Benjamin van Bebber Composition Leo Hofmann, freely adapted from Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" Performance Athena Lange, Fia Neises, Marie-Sophie Richter Dramaturgy Franziska Henschel Dramaturgy German Sign Language Susanne Tod, Emil Leske Dramaturgy Audio description Naomi Sanfo, Jeanne Charlotte Vogt Outside Eye & Ear Gunda Schröder Light and Space Ladislav Zajac Costume Jessica Gadani Director Support Emil Leske Supertitle Assistance Linda Lou Dierich-Matzke Production Assistance Sofia Chionidou Public Relations Jeanne Charlotte Vogt Public Relations Susanne Tod, Emil Leske, Naomi Sanfo Libretto (German & German Sign Language) [in]operabilities, inspired by Eva von Redecker, Donna Haraway and "Fidelio" Concept & Production [in]operabilities Finances Nina Klöckner / ehrliche Arbeit Support during the rehearsal process by interpreters for German Sign Language and German Christina Müller, Céline Sawkins, Nicole Ostrycharczyk, Marie Schaper, Clara Bosse, Anna Maria Meyer, Katrin Kukla, Kunigunde Schindler With thanks to the Staatsoper Hamburg

It's not easy, it's not easy, it's not easy! is a production by [in]operabilities and is a co-production with Kampnagel, Gare du Nord Basel and Un-Label. The production is supported by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Ministry of Culture and Media, the Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, the Fachausschuss Musik BS/BL, the Landis & Gyr Foundation, the Fondation Suisa and the ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius.