The renowned German composer and artist Heiner Goebbels discusses his latest work with the director of the British Museum, Hartwig Fischer. Goebbel’s “Everything That Happened and Would Happen” is receiving its world premiere in Manchester as part of 1418 NOW and explores the world since the outbreak of the first great war of the 20th century. It features a landscape of 20 performers, dancers, objects and new music.

Heiner Goebbels
Inspired by an eclectic range of influences and sources, composer and director Heiner Goebbels’ fascination with literature, politics and anthropology informs richly textured visual compositions that integrate classical, pop, jazz and traditional indigenous music.

Goebbels has recently completed his tenure as professor at the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies of the Justus Liebig University in Giessen. From 2012 to 2014 he was the artistic director of the International Festival of the Arts Ruhrtriennale.

Hartwig Fischer
Dr Hartwig Fischer became Director of the British Museum in 2016. He was previously the Director General of the Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden) where he was responsible for fourteen museums and four separate institutions in four cities. His focus was on modernising and developing the State Art Collections, which date back to the 16th century.

Dr Fischer was Director of the Folkwang Museum in Essen (2006–2012). Whilst in post he oversaw the fundraising and restoration of the historic museum and the construction of a new building designed by Sir David Chipperfiled. He began his museum career at the Kunstmuseum in Basel, where he was curator of 19th-century and Modern Art from 2001–2006.

“Everything That Happened and Would Happen” was produced by Artangel and co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, Artangel, Park Avenue Armory and Ruhrtriennale. The world premiere is co-presented by Artangel and Manchester International Festival (MIF) as a Trailblazer for The Factory.

Talks programme supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London, with thanks to Goethe- Institut London.

With support from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund, and from the DCMS.

Book tickets here.

photo credits: Killa Schuetze