Wie im Himmel

In the organizer's words:

AS IN HEAVEN
by Kay Pollak
German by Jana Hallberg
Music by Jörg Gollasch
Production Joern Hinkel
Stage Jens Kilian
Costumes Kerstin Micheel
Revival July 25, 2025, 9 pm
Bad Hersfeld Abbey Ruins

"Energetic and approachable, full of humanity, great music and attention to detail," was the review after the premiere of "Wie im Himmel" last summer. And it continued:

"The play relies above all on deep emotions, symbolism and musical goosebump moments. These are mainly thanks to the 40 singers in the choir, whose performance the audience was only too happy to be swept away by." Standing ovations and storms of enthusiasm at almost every performance.

Helena Charlotte Sigal and Henry Arnold received the Great Hersfeld Prize 2024 from the town of Bad Hersfeld and the Society of Friends of the Abbey Ruins for their portrayal of Lena and Daniel. The jury, consisting of critics from renowned media outlets, also awarded one of the two Hersfeld Prizes 2024 to the chorus in Joern Hinkel's production. The jury stated: "Helgo Hahn has assembled the 44 singers from Hersfeld choirs and brought them together to form a harmonious ensemble. The choir is moving and convincing not only musically, but also through its choreographic and atmospheric portrayal of the inhabitants of the Swedish village. Their outstanding performance blurs the boundaries between amateurs and professional actors. The choir becomes the mainstay of the evening."

"Like in Heaven" is the story of the world-famous conductor Daniel Daréus, who retreats to his Swedish home village in winter after suffering a heart attack. Here he is persuaded to conduct the church choir. This makes him realize again what music once meant to him and what is really important in life.