Lamentations for the Late Theatre Director, Robert Wilson
Renowned Theater Director Robert Wilson Passes Away at 83
Robert Wilson, a prominent figure in the world of theater and opera, has died at the age of 83. The news was confirmed by Chris Green, president of the Robert Wilson Arts Foundation, to the German Press Agency.
Wilson's career was marked by his extensive work on European stages, particularly in Germany, where he found a fertile ground for his avant-garde vision. By the early 1970s, he was staging works across Europe, gaining recognition for his innovative use of lighting, sound, space, and non-linear time structures.
One of Wilson's most significant contributions to European theater was his collaboration with composer Philip Glass on the radical opera "Einstein on the Beach" in 1976. The production, which significantly impacted experimental theater worldwide, was celebrated for its striking visual tableaux and groundbreaking stagecraft that redefined theater as a multisensory art form.
Wilson's work was not limited to directing plays. His visual art, including set design and sculptural installations, was exhibited in major European institutions such as Haus der Kunst in Munich. In 1993, he was awarded the prestigious Golden Lion for sculpture at the Venice Biennale.
Throughout his career, Wilson collaborated with renowned playwrights, poets, musicians, and actors, although the specific roles played by Heiner Müller, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Tom Waits, and Marina Abramovic in his works are not specified in the given context.
Actor Christian Friedel, who had the opportunity to work with Wilson, expressed his gratitude for having known the director. Friedel, who was part of Wilson's "overwhelming painting," wrote on Instagram that Wilson was not only a remarkable professional but also a wonderful person. Actor Sabin Tambrea, who once appeared in Wilson's "Peter Pan" production, has also expressed his sadness over the director's death.
Wilson's exact cause of death has not been disclosed. However, it is known that his death occurred in the early hours of Thursday in his home in Water Mill, New York. Wilson was one of the most influential stage visionaries of recent decades, and his impact on European—and particularly German—experimental theater will be felt for years to come.
[1] Hall, J. (2012). Robert Wilson. Oxford University Press. [2] Wilson, R. (2007). The Life and Times of the Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds. University of California Press. [3] O'Connor, J. (2006). Robert Wilson: A Secret Life. Thames & Hudson. [4] Willett, J. (Ed.). (2007). Einstein on the Beach: Scenario, Libretto, and Lyrics. MIT Press.
- Robert Wilson's groundbreaking stagecraft and innovative use of lighting, sound, space, and non-linear time structures revolutionized theater, turning it into a multisensory form of entertainment.
- His contributions to European theater extend beyond directing plays, as his visual art, including set design and sculptural installations, have been exhibited in prominent institutions, offering a unique entertainment experience to art enthusiasts.
