Regieschüssel
Well done, Jim: the opera in question was indeed Fidelio, and La Cieca has no idea what that horse is all about either. Better you should ask Benedikt von Peter, who directed it for the Komische Oper Berlin. And while you’re at it, maybe he’ll offer a guess or two what’s going on after the jump.



Druid rituals………it’s Norma.
Isn’t his bowl in Photo 3 too small for Norma?
Macbeth?
Elektra
Or Salome
Or Aida
No kidding, it could be any of those and probably others too.
1- Elektra and Orestes / Salome and Jokanaan / Amonasro and Aida (Act 3)
2- Elektra and Klit / Salome and Herodiade / Aida and Amneris (Act 2, Scene1)
3- Looking for oracles or some other religious rite in any of the three. (Aida Act 1, Scene 2)
I think you’re onto something with Salome. It’s the only opera I can think of where a stripper pole would be both over the top, and yet appropriate.
Yeah, I’m getting a Strauss vibe too. Frau ohne Schatten?
ANDREA CHENIER !!!
1. act 1 – Maddalena suffers while Bersi pretends to care.
2. act 2 – Maddalena suffers even more while Bersi has switched sides.
3. act 3 – a young barihunk Gerard sings Nemico della patria.
Well, “Regieschüssel” rules out anything but Salome. La Cieca served us that one on a silver platter!
Ballo — Ulrica and Amelia + super with bowl (superbowl?).
In the first shot the soprano looks a bit like (ssssh) Cheryl Studer.