Zemlinsky in his zeitgeist

Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky is the brother-in-law of composer Arnold Schoenberg, but he doesn’t share his innovative spirit. His compositions range from opera to orchestral work, to song and chamber music. His style is late romantic and symbolist. During his fascinating life, Zemlinsky also works as a teacher (of, among others, Alma Mahler-Schindler) and as a conductor in Vienna, Prague and Berlin. On the run from the Nazis, he spends the last years of his life in America. For three afternoons, Yves Knockaert delves into the life and work of Zemlinsky. All those who attend can then go to the Orchestre National de Lille’s performance of Zemlinsky’s Die Seejungfrau (The Mermaid) fully prepared.