Overview
- The production premieres on June 27 in Berlin, with five performances initially scheduled.
- Ceylan will take the central speaking role of Bassa Selim, appearing almost continuously to comment on the action.
- He will not sing, with all musical duties remaining with the opera's vocal cast.
- Director Andrea Moses will develop the text with Ceylan, with the staging attributed to his contribution.
- The Staatsoper describes the casting as an experiment to confront orientalist clichés and reach new audiences.