The world's first opera written with full brass band accompaniment is to be performed in Lucerne.

'Dschungel' ('Jungle') has been specially commissioned by the Luzerner Theater (Opera House of Lucerne) and will see former European Champion Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern play a central role under the baton of Michael Bach.

The first performance takes place on Saturday 8th February and will be followed by another 10 up to April.

The libretto has been written by Michael Fehr, a renowned artist from Berne, and is set to music by young Swiss Composer Manuel Renggli, who has conducted at the highest level at the Swiss National Championships and written for the brass band medium.

Ground breaking

Speaking to 4BR about ground breaking production, Michael Bach said: "This is a huge project and one we are honoured to be part of. There are around 30 actors and singers involved on stage, so it is a very complex and exciting work with an ever-changing backdrop.

We can't wait for the performance — it really is a major artistic step forward for the brass band movement in Switzerland and beyond."

There are around 30 actors and singers involved on stage, so it is a very complex and exciting work with an ever-changing backdropMichael Bach

Brass band influences

Michael revealed that the music is inspired by several influences — hip-hop, rap, jazz, traditional operatic stanzas and brass band repertoire, including works by Oliver Waespi, Paul McGhee and Thomas Doss.

"Brass band music is a central part of the production and leads the storyline — one which tells the tale of a girl called Brahma who loses herself in a world of despair and drugs.

However, she is saved by several animals which bring her into the jungle to recover, so that she can return back into her own world full of renewed confidence."