Mike Litt in conversation
with Anna Melcher from Oper am Rhein

How's it going, Düsseldorf?

Our new podcast,All Rhine, for Culture in Times of Corona. What Mike Litt wants to know: How did the talk guests perceive the surreal times? What has changed for you? What projects are they working on now?
In Episode 13, Mike talks to Anna Melcher from the Oper am Rhein.

It goes on at the "Oper am Rhein"! For chief dramaturge Anna Melcher and her team, the past weeks were full of challenges. Hygiene and safety requirements seemed to make running a play impossible.

But in the time-honored "Oper am Rhein," a creative and visionary search was made for possibilities that not only bridge the time. Anna Melcher promises that what can be experienced in the Düsseldorf opera house this fall is exciting and new.

The Düsseldorf Opera House is a special place in and of itself. It is located in the middle of the city - conveniently situated between Königsallee, Hofgarten and the old town, with the Kunsthalle and K20 directly opposite. Those who come to a premiere often stop off at the "Sir Walter" bar across the street. There, sophisticated suits and women in evening gowns stand next to cocktail connoisseurs - a pretty relaxed crowd.

In 2019, Melcher, a native of Krefeld, moved from the Semperoper back to the Rhineland - she brings plenty of experience with her. She worked alongside Christoph Schlingensief in Berlin and was dramaturg/chief dramaturg in Gelsenkirchen and Dresden.

In an interview for "Alle Rhein", she tells us how the team at "Oper am Rhein" has responded to COVID-19 in recent months, with a view to opening the doors again in autumn and winter, including "Kaiser von Atlantis" by Viktor Ullmann.

More about: Art & Culture in Düsseldorf

Our host

Mike Litt was born in the US state of Virginia and lived in Bochum for many years. The globetrotter usually works in Cologne but lives with his family in the beautiful Düsseltal district of Düsseldorf. He is a radio presenter (1Live, WDR 2, DLF Nova), a DJ with Mayday festival experience and an author (‘The loneliest DJ in the world’). For our podcast, he holds fascinating conversations with other people from Düsseldorf’s cultural scene.

Photos
Cover: © Andreas Endermann
Mike Litt: © [email protected]
Music / Sound: Christian Moster / Mike Litt