About this Event
Between 1920 and 1923, Franz Kafka wrote over 120 letters to Czech journalist Milena Jesenská, whose replies were destroyed but whose influence on his work remains profound. This opera blends fragments of their letters with themes of isolation, cultural identity, and Kafka’s “impossibility of writing,” set against post-WWI Europe.
The libretto, incorporating German, Czech, English, and Japanese, creates an immersive experience that challenges the audience and invites active listening. The score features shakuhachi and shamisen, instruments linked to marginalized Japanese communities, alongside field recordings of carrion crows, evoking non-human language. The opera also reflects Jesenská’s tragic fate: captured by the Gestapo and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, she was tattooed with the number 4714, earning her the nickname “4711” from fellow prisoners, a reference to the eau de cologne 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser.
Composers Hiroya Miura and Carl Christian Bettendorf, alongside performers Hidejiro Honjoh, Akihito Obama, and Annabelle Plum, present this groundbreaking opera about two individuals on the fringes of society.
Organized in collaboration with 1014 NYC (TenFourteen NYC).
Tickets and Admission: Tickets are free and may be sold in excess of venue capacity. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; late arrivals may be denied entry once capacity is reached. All ticket sales are final. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the show starts; latecomers may be refused admission.
Food and Drink Policy: Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Media Recording Notice: By attending this event hosted by the Czech Center New York, you consent to being photographed and recorded. The Czech Center New York and its partners may use these images and recordings for promotional purposes.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, New York, United States
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