ROCK ME AMADEUS - THE FALCO MUSICAL

• INTERVIEW

   

  HOW DID THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING A MUSICAL ABOUT FALCO'S LIFE COME ABOUT?

  Falco's moving life story, full of ups and downs, is an incredibly fascinating subject matter for a musical theatre piece. His great and unmistakable music and his clever, direct, often critical lyrics have inspired generations and are perfect for a musical.
   

  HOW DO YOU PROCEED FROM THE IDEA TO THE CONCEPT FOR A THEATER PIECE?

  That is always a very exciting and creative process. First of all, everything has to be sorted out through research and shaped into a dramaturgically rounded plot. With a work that already has existing music, this is even more exciting, since the songs have to become an elementary part of the plot. We think long and hard about where they are placed and which character sings them. In general, we were particularly interested in the discrepancy between the private person Hans Hölzel, who was friendly and almost a bit shy, and the eccentric, extroverted character ‘Falco’ that he created. We wanted to put that at the centre of the piece from the very beginning.
   

  HOW AUTHENTIC CAN OR MUST SUCH A MUSICAL BE?

  Authenticity is an important aspect, especially when it comes to the life and work of a real artist. We have done extensive research and worked with people who were very close to Falco. However, a compelling stage narrative often requires a certain artistic licence to make the story suitable for the stage and to dramatise it, for example by adding fictional elements to condense events. You have to strike a careful balance between authenticity and creative interpretation. But of course we wanted to preserve the essence of Falco's work and personality.
   

  HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE SONGS? WAS IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE THEM WORK ON STAGE?

  First, I choose the songs that are particularly suitable for the stage, and after a thorough analysis of the lyrics, I identify central themes, emotions and stories in the songs that could fit into the plot. Some songs represent key moments in the story and are therefore particularly relevant to the plot, while others reveal something about the characters. Some material is also reinterpreted for a musical, because a theatre stage is different from a pure concert stage. For example, arrangements or instrumentation are sometimes changed to suit the needs of the stage production. The order of the songs in the piece also plays a role in supporting the dramaturgy of the plot and building emotional tension. Selecting and integrating the songs into a play requires close collaboration between the entire creative team, especially between the author, musical director and director. They must be integrated into the plot not only musically, but also narratively, to create a compelling and coherent stage experience.
   

  YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND DEVELOPED MANY MUSICALS; WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

  One of the main challenges lies in the storytelling. Telling an interesting and emotional story that captivates the audience is key. Ultimately, it is always about creating a complete work of art that is musically, narratively, visually and emotionally convincing. This is a challenging, creative process that requires both careful planning and collaboration between the artists and the ability to respond to the needs of an audience. At the same time, you have to bring together a large team of writers, performers, designers and technicians to implement your shared vision. This is a very fulfilling task that I am always happy to take on.
  
  
   

  The interview with Christian Struppeck was conducted by Monika Bjelik