Musical samples on March 14th before the opera premiere
The Hessian State Museum in Darmstadt will host a special preview of the opera "Cain and Abel" on March 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. The Darmstadt State Theatre will present musical excerpts from Felix Weingartner's new production of the work.
The opera premiered in Darmstadt in 1914 and initially enjoyed great success. However, the outbreak of the First World War prevented further international distribution. More than a hundred years later, the Darmstadt State Theatre is now bringing this powerful work back to the stage for the first time. The premiere is on March 28.
A glimpse into an operatic rarity
The preview in the museum's art gallery will include musical excerpts such as Abel's tale of paradise. Three of the opera's five characters—Adam (Joel Allison), Eve (Katrin Gerstenberger), and Abel (Heiko Börner)—will be introduced. A selection of Weingartner's songs will also be presented.
Dramaturgist Frederike Prick-Hoffmann and General Music Director Daniel Cohen, who rediscovered the work in archives, introduce the opera and the production by Kerem Hillel.
The program is complemented by an art historical contribution from Dr. Katrin Thomschke, head of the collection for art from the 18th century onwards at the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt. She sheds light on the artistic and cultural life of Darmstadt at the time the opera was created.
The event takes place in the middle of the art gallery and combines music with works of 19th-century Hessian and Darmstadt painting.
Admission to the event is free. Only the regular museum entrance fee applies (€8, concessions €5). The event is not seated, and the number of participants is limited. Advance reservations are not possible.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/HLMD)
Featured image: Design: q. designstudio © Staatstheater Darmstadt
