Ernst Stern
Figurines (costume designs) for “Die Grüne Flöte” (The Green Flute)
1916
(Production by Max Reinhardt at the Deutsche Theater Berlin, 1916)
Pen and ink
Theater Studies Collection of the University of Cologne
In 1916, Max Reinhardt (1873–1943) directed the premiere of the ballet “The Green Flute” at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. The plot of the performance was penned by Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874–1929), with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791).
Two of the leading roles were danced by Kollwitz’s niece Katta Sterna (Prince Sing-Ling) and Ernst Matray (Wizard Wu), who later became the husband of her youngest niece Maria Solveg.
This well-rehearsed dance duo had already performed a piece choreographed by Matray (1891–1978) at the beginning of April 1916, entitled “Ein Märchen” (A Fairy Tale) to music by Alexander (Sándor) László (1895–1970) on the stage of the Kammerspiele, which was seen by at least Käthe Kollwitz’s mother and Lisbeth Stern.