Wolfgang Zeuner-Rosenthal Live
Thallwitz / Germany, 2020 & 2023

Performance / Event
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In cooperation: Florian Claudius Steffens / Barnabas Jacob Herrmann (Rosenthal Voice), Nola Fuchs (Guitar, Background Vocals), Linus Haagen / Friederike Bartel (Piano)

Wolfgang Rosenthal (1882-1971): Wartime hospital surgeon, world-famous oratorio singer, NSDAP member, quarter-Jew, aryan certificate, Soviet zone, SED member, lack of party loyalty, "Verdienter Arzt des Volkes", honorary citizen of Thallwitz.
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At the invitation of the Fine Art Institute Leipzig, a performative song recital was staged in the Saxon province of Thallwitz. The historic castle, located in the heart of the village, was the clinic for plastic and reconstructive maxillofacial surgery of Wolfgang Rosenthal (1882-1971) for about 50 years. Rosenthal was not only a renowned physician and enjoyed international reputation for his achievements, he was also one of the most important concert and oratorio singers of his time. Rosenthal's work spanned 3 political systems in Germany. Accordingly, a very ambivalent biography can be seen, on the basis of which fundamental ethical questions arise, which exemplify the difficulties of reflection of German history.

The metal bust of Rosenthal standing in the castle‘s garden in Thallwitz was given a secret live voice for the event. In this way, Wolfgang Rosenthal was not only able to give his last concert for the local residents, but also to tell his story uncensored and reflect on it in exchange with the guests.
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