The Canterville Ghost at Komische Oper Berlin

Basing his opera on the deliciously spine-tingling story by Oscar Wilde about a classy castle ghost who is now getting on a bit, the Berlin composer Marius Felix Lange has created a creepy, ghostly atmosphere which is guaranteed to enthrall both young and old.

For over 400 years Sir Simon, the ghost of Canterville, has been haunting his eerie castle in Scotland. But time takes its toll, even on ghosts. Sir Simon has become weary and would like nothing better than to retire – especially since his ghostly powers are not what they used to be. He finds himself completely incapable of scaring the new inhabitants of the castle. The business-like property dealer and his three children aren't at all frightened. On the contrary, the cheeky twins Leon and Noel actually turn the tables on Sir Simon and play all sorts of tricks on him. At least their sister Virginia seems to have a soft spot for the old spirit of the castle.

For this, his third opera for children and families, composer Marius Felix Lange has created gripping, ambitious music which perfectly matches the protagonists and their changing emotions. Weird and eerie in the haunting scenes, full of parody in the depiction of the property dealer and his hysterical assistant, but also tender when the daughter Virginia thinks she can hear the voice of her late mother.

Director Jasmina Hadziahmetovic has succeeded in staging a turbulent haunting spectacle - with bats, rats, suits of armour that come to life and a genuine ghost! A wild opera of scary fun for the whole family.