In the heart of the desert, three fugitive criminals establish the city of Mahagonny. This ‘paradise city’ has its own rules for living life, fueled by the wealth of men passing through from the Gold Coast. Eating, loving, boxing, and drinking are the order of the day. However, this idyllic utopia soon begins to falter, as natural disasters, excesses, violence, and corruption push the city to its breaking point.
Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is regarded as one of the most radical works of twentieth-century music theatre, with librettist Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill not only exposing the pitfalls of societal life, but also questioning the very genre of opera itself. Musically, Weill bridges the gap between opera and the popular music of his time. In Barrie Kosky’s production, the city of Mahagonny becomes a kaleidoscope of human shortcomings.