Prepublicity
Gaststeig Magazine, Maria Zimmerer, June 2024
We humans can do so much, but have learned so little from the past! This thought has been on the mind of Dutch director Annechien Koerselman ever since she was asked by the Munich Philharmonic to create a staged children's concert based on Erich Kästner's "The Conference of the Animals (Animals United)".
The author formulated clear words against violence and ignorant adults who have no solutions for finding peace and a better future. Fortunately, imagination knows no bounds and so in Kästner's work animals from all continents unite and arrange a conference. I have never forgotten what I was like as a child, that helps!, says Koerselman, who has always fed her imagination well.
Suitable music must be easily audible and recognizable for children's ears, and must also fit in equally with the dialogues to form a complete work.
But Kästner's story can also inspire adults to ask themselves a fundamental question: "What do we really need in life? In our society, too much revolves around material things and growth, it's driving me crazy!" [The stage director] herself never had the feeling that she posessed too little - perhaps thanks to a life full of books and music.
