The sweet scent doesn't come from roses, called corpse opera

“The sweet scent doesn't come from roses, called mortuary opera”

Film screening & subsequent panel discussion | as part of Berlin Freedom Week 2026

DFF 1990, music: Christoph Schambach, lyrics: Daniel Morgenroth, directed by Peter Dehler, with Thorsten Merten, Christiane Hagedorn, Deborah Kaufmann, Claudia Geisler and others

Round table with:

Johanna Stapelfeldt (literary and cultural scholar, HfS Ernst Busch, Berlin)

Daniel Morgenroth (author and actor)

Christoph Schambach (composer)

Moderated by Susanne Wohlleber (Verlag Schambach-Music)

EN:

In a last production of East German entertainment television, the DFF produced the Leichenoper in 1990

with the cast of their premiere. After the song opera in a self-made production by students

premiered at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in East Berlin in April 1989 and immediately

was prevented, it had its official premiere in BABYLON after the fall of the Wall and many

successful performances at the Deutsches Theater Berlin.

One morning, the civil servants Rohmayer notice the motionless mayor in their

bedroom. Is he just sleeping or is he even dead? How did he get there? And above all: How does he get there

gone again?

As the process progresses, Hans Rohmayer and his ambitious wife get into situations in which they do not

are certain whether it's steeply uphill or rapidly downhill with their career and their pleasant life. Should

Maybe they'll help with that? Is the “corpse in the cellar” a minor offense or does it stink like that at some point

unbearably treacherous?

Brilliant lyrics and catchy music with threepenny opera charm accompany you through the ups and downs of

Temptation and provide the most delicious entertainment!

With the cheeky disrespect of young people and a good dose of talent, they wrote

The GDR two student friends were frustrated with a system of soul and had no idea what a timeless

Throw them succeeded with it.

The television recording was broadcast for the first time on October 8, 1990, three days after the entry into force of

Unification Treaty — a contemporary document of change.

We will then talk together about the piece, its exciting story and art in politics

difficult times.

EN:

In One of the Last Productions by GDR's Entertainment Television Network, DFF produced the corpse opera in

1990 with the same cast as its world premiere. After the Song Opera premiered in East Berlin in April 1989 as a

Selfmade-production by students of Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch and was immediately banned,

It had its official premiere at BABYLON after the Fall of the Berlin Wall and followed by many successful

performances at Deutsches Theater Berlin.

One morning, Mr. and Mrs. Rohmayer discover the motionless mayor in their bedroom. Is he just asleep, or is

He actually dead? How did he get there? And above all: How is he going to get out of there?

As the story unfolds, civil servant Hans Rohmayer and his ambitious wife find themselves in situations where

They're not sure whether their careers and comfortable lives are heading steeply upward or rapidly downward.

Should they perhaps give things a little nudge? Is the “Skeleton in the Closet” a minor offense, or will it

Eventually stink so unbearably of betrayal?

Brilliant lyrics and catchy music with the charm of “The Threepenny Opera” guide you through the ups and

Downs of Temptation and Provide the Most Delightful Entertainment!

With the Cheeky Irreverence of Youth and a Healthy Dose of Talent, Two Student Friends in the Final Year of GDR

Poured their frustration with the system into their work, never suspecting what a timeless masterpiece they had

created.

The television recording was first broadcast on October 8, 1990, three days after the Unification Treaty came

Into effect - a historical document of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Afterward, we'll discuss the play together, its fascinating history, and art in politically challenging times.

Trailer: