Event

Sabina Spielrein Presented by the Center for Contemporary Opera

In the shadow of great men are often the women who inspired them. Sabina Spielrein was the woman who most inspired Carl Jung. She was his anima. From Jung's patient, she became a psychoanalyst in her own right and colleague of both Jung and Freud. In her work, she fought to keep Jung and Freud together and to build a bridge between Aryan and Jewish culture. In her heart, she was embroiled in a tempestuous and cruel love affair with Jung that, for her, never ended.

This is the story of a woman's struggle to understand how love can destroy and how we can destroy what we love. The story takes place as World War 2 erupts and devastation sweeps across Europe and ends with Sabina's tragic murder by the Germans whom she had so revered. Yet her work and life live on and are a testament that destructiveness can only be survived by the determination to be creative.

The evening will consist of a reading of the libretto as well as selections from the opera, both from a stellar cast with Kara Cornell in the title role.

Errollyn Wallen, M.B.E., enjoys a universal reputation. Originally from Belize, she divides her time between London and New York and her works have been performed by Bork to the Royal Opera House and everyone in between. http://www.errollynwallen.com/biography

David Pountney, C.B.E., librettist, is also very well known around the world as a leading producer, stage director, and librettist. He is presently the director and CEO of Welsh National Opera. http://imgartists.com/artist/david_pountney

David Pountney will direct the work and Maggie Low and Lidiya Yankovskaya will prepare the artists.