MEDIATHEK

The musical theatre piece Spiegelbilder is a modern adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Emperor's New Clothes and illuminates narcissism and its connected lack of emotional self-knowledge both on a personal and a systemic level. The incorporated themes of low self-esteem with its focus on physical beauty and ageing and the question of how we live our relationships are highly topical. Systemic and political repercussions of narcissism are arguably even more up-to-date due to recent world events.

Employing a cast of only eight female singers who also provided the instrumental accompaniment, it was aimed to demonstrate the multilayered story content while including various ruptures/irritations: via the text (cf. insertions), the multiple roles of most of the singers, the interactions between the musicians and the happenings on stage, the use of two languages symbolising rigidity (German) versus emotional closeness (English), the clash of cues indicating various time settings, and via different musical styles. For more information cf. the explanatory notes.

The piece was performed eight times between May 11, 2016, and June 19, 2016, at five different locations in Switzerland (plus one additional school performance was given) by seven professional musicians and one teenage girl. It aimed to provide food for thought and enjoyment and was seen as also suitable for children from about 10 years and upwards.
 
The piano score does not include final changes.