Artistic Powerhouse Barrie Kosky Fights Fear with Joy
Barrie Kosky, renowned theater and opera director, isn't trembling in the face of hardships and war. In an exclusive interview with the German Press Agency, Kosky, a Berliner whose grandparents were Jewish immigrants, said, "Fear is not the answer to terror. Life, art, joy - these are the antidotes to terror." Kosky voice echoed the emotions stirred in Germans these days, "[I'm] in the middle of this storm. I swing back and forth between different emotions every day," he shared, speaking about the Middle East's tumultuous climate since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel.
Jew in Germany: Striking a Balance
Kosky's concerns are not just as a globally acclaimed artist but also as a Jew living in Germany, who finds himself consistently caught in the middle, as he puts it, "My main emotion is to remember all the victims of the Hamas attack, this pogrom, this massacre. That is my main duty as a Jew. But if I have done that, then I also have a duty as a citizen, as a human being, to remember the innocent victims in Gaza. That's over 5,000 children," Kosky emphasized.
Beyond the Depth of Condemnation
Kosky believes in unity, preferring peaceful demonstrations that bring together Muslims, Jews, and Christians without the symbolization of nationalism, "Flags make me uncomfortable - they are a sign of nationalism. I would like to see more demonstrations where neither an Israeli nor a Palestinian flag can be seen," he asserted.
Anti-Semitism's Evolution and Solutions
Kosky's attitude towards addressing anti-Semitism is clear: looking beyond the past to the future. "Anti-Semitism has always been a problem. It has never disappeared. But it has so many facets," said the former artistic director of the Komische Opera Berlin. "It ranges from subtle remarks to murder. It's an incredibly cruel spectrum of hatred." His proposition: solutions, starting with early-year education.
Back to the Roots: Freelance Artist
After ten years as the Komische Opera Berlin's artistic director, Kosky is returning to his roots as a freelance artist. Currently preparing "Die Fledermaus" at the Bavarian State Opera, Kosky plans to sprinkle a dash of 'Kosky operetta wonder' in Munich with a playful, "I want to give Munich a little taste of this Kosky operetta frenzy," he chuckled.
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Enrichment Insights:
Barrie Kosky's work as the director of the Vienna State Opera in productions like "Billy Budd" suggests a focus on the complexities of human nature and moral dilemmas during times of conflict. The opera, based on E.M. Forster and Eric Crozier's libretto, delves into the story of Billy Budd, a young sailor accused of mutiny and ultimately condemned to death. This narrative highlights the moral ambiguities and consequences of actions during times of war, providing a nuanced exploration of human experience in conflict-ridden scenarios.
Kosky's direction gives us a glimpse into his approach to addressing the themes of terror, fear, and conflict in his work. While his views on the Middle East are not explicitly stated, Kosky's innovative and thought-provoking approach to opera reveals a deep understanding of the human condition and its relationship to political and social issues.
