IN MEMORY OF FRANK HOFFMANN

Frank Hoffmann and Martin Gasselsberger had plans for a major project, based on Alessandro Baricco’s monologue “Novecento – The legend of the ocean pianist”. Sadly, due to the sudden death of Frank Hoffman in June 2022, this did not come to fruition. It is with deep regret that we have cancelled this production.

The “hero” of the story is a foundling child, who is discovered as an infant on an ocean liner and raised on board by an engine room stoker. His name comes from the year in which he was found: Novecento (= 1900). The adolescent Novecento discovers a piano in the ship’s ballroom, and teaches himself to play it – perfectly.

The pianist Jelly Roll Morton, king of the ragtime style, hears about this, and invites him to a ragtime piano competition. We won’t reveal exactly how that turns out. But Novecento will never leave the ship.