Experienced mountain climbers take the shortest route to climb this mountain, because it is one of the most famous peaks in the world. And when they see it they ask „Is that all?“ and are no longer motivated to climb it.
Halldór Laxness, 1968
At the foot of the Snæfell Glacier, a parish priest is neglecting his pastoral duties, or so the rumor goes. The bishop sends a young clergyman from Reykjavík to investigate the situation in the Icelandic province. However, what awaits him there is far more complicated than he expected: a pastor who prefers repairing camping stoves to preaching, an insanely wealthy and influential big businessman, three shepherds and other eccentric figures who rave about mystical miracles but live in their own reality are only the beginning of a wondrous and enigmatic story about a society caught between popular beliefs and the modern world.
Commissioned by Landestheater Linz, Austria 2018
INSTRUMENTATION
Libretto: Hermann Schneider
Soloists: 3Sop.Mez.A.3T.3Bar.2B. recorded tape (CounterT.)
Orchestra: 1(Picc./A.-fl.).1.2.bclar.S.-Sax.A.-Sax.T.-Sax.1(cbsn.).-3.2.2.0.-Timp.-2perc.-pno.-2hrp.-strings(1jazz-b.)
160 min.
PERFORMANCES
- Landestheater Linz, Austria, 21 May 2022
World première
Conductor: Ingmar Beck
Stage Director: Hermann Schneider
Stage and costume design: Falko Herold
"UNTER DEM GLETSCHER" at Landestheater Linz, 2022
Stage Director: Hermann Schneider, Stage Design and Costumes: Falko Herold, Photo: ©Reinhard Winkler
TRAILER
Production: Landestheater Linz, Austria 2022
INTERVIEW
with MICHAEL OBST and HERMANN SCHNEIDER about “Unter dem Gletscher”
About Michael obst
Michael Obst is a composer, pianist, and teacher. He began his successful composing career with electronic music and subsequently composed works for music theater, film and concert halls. His experience as a pianist with the Ensemble Modern, enriched his understanding of contemporary music. After 25 fulfilling years of teaching, he is now excited to once again concentrate on his own composition projects.
- INFO@MICHAEL-OBST.COM