A combination of suicide, terrorism and political controversy makes David Chesworth’s latest performance work a captivating experience.

Richter/Meinhof-Opera, after a libretto by Tony MacGregor, will be performed at the Art Gallery of NSW for its first Sydney show for two nights only – 8 & 9 June.

The origins of Richter/Meinhof-Opera derive from Gerhard Richter’s painting series October 18 1977, which have been labelled controversial since their first exhibition in Germany, 1989. The paintings depict scenes surrounding the apparent suicides of jailed members of the notorious Baader/Meinhof Group, responsible for a deadly campaign to overthrow the West German establishment.

Drawing on the writings of both Ulrike Meinhof and Richter, and records of actual events, this intimate performance is set to a series of compelling soundscapes, which provide aural accessories to the portrayed events.

Richter takes a police photograph of Ulrike’s dead body and paints three versions of it. They could almost be pictures of her sleeping except that we see her throat has been ripped by the chord of the torn towel that took her life.
– David Chesworth

Richter/Meinhof-Opera will be performed at the Art Gallery of NSW for two nights only. Bookings essential: telephone 02 9225 1878.

Presented by Wax Sound Media and Art Gallery of NSW