Encore Live: Mack the Knife and the Wild Years of Berlin (Part 1)

We are in Berlin in the 1920s. After the tragedy and absurdity of the First World War and the insecurity of the period that followed, the people of Berlin are ready to break all the old rules. The nightlife in the city is exploding. Cabarets, nightclubs, cinemas, and theatres are competing with each other to attract their audience. No limits, no taboos—everything is possible.

This is the background for one of the most famous popular tunes of the 20th century: Mack the Knife. This song is part of a unique music theatre show, “The Threepenny Opera.” The play was written by Bertold Brecht, with music by Kurt Weill.

In Part 1 of this two-part Encore Live event, we take a look at the story behind the music as Tour Manager Markus Stuckelberger examines the composition and provide a glimpse into a musician’s destiny and how it reflects the history of Berlin during this period.

Watch Encore Live: Mack the Knife and the Wild Years of Berlin

We also hope you will join us next week on Thursday, September 10th at 1:00 PM EST for the conclusion of Encore Live: Mack the Knife and the Wild Years of Berlin. This event is free to all, and we hope you will share it with friends, family, and colleagues.

If you missed our previous event, Encore Live: The Peculiar Case of Haydn’s Head, we encourage you will view last week’s recording. We have several more Encore Live events lined up in the coming weeks, so please make sure to register to receive updates about future events!

We are committed to providing musicians with resources that will make their lives easier and more enjoyable during these difficult times, so please email encoretours@acis.com with any questions or suggestions.