Das Gesicht im Spiegel

Jörg Widmann received in 2000 a commission from the Bavarian State Opera for the 2003 Munich Opera Festival.^[1][2][3] Sir Peter Jonas, manager of the Bavarian State Opera, commissioned an opera that would address a contemporary issue.^[1] The libretto by Roland Schimmelpfennig^[4] deals with the emotional consequences and ethical issues of human cloning.^[5] The stage work was composed from 2002 to 2003 and finished in Freiburg on 11 June 2003.^[6]

The opera was premiered at the Cuvilliés Theatre Munich on 17 July 2003, with the Orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Peter Rundel and Tölzer Knabenchor.^[1][5][7] Das Gesicht im Spiegel, Widmann's first full-length work, was chosen by critics of the Opernwelt as the most important premiere of the season 2003–2004.^[8] The opera was also performed two years later in Theater Krefeld und Mönchengladbach conducted by Kenneth Duryea.^[6] In March 2010 a revised version of the opera was premiered in Opernhaus Düsseldorf conducted by Axel Kober.^[1]

In September 2022, the opera would be performed at the Neue Oper Wien, with Walter Kobéra [de] conducting, and Carlos Wagner directing the stage.^[9] This production would go on to give the Hungarian premiere at Müpa Budapest.^[10]

The opera uses a small orchestra, with only 23 players.^[11][6]

• Woodwinds: 2 flutes, 2 clarinets (A, B♭), 2 bassoons
• Brass: 2 horns (F), trumpet (C), trombone
• Strings: 4 violins, 3 cellos, double bass
• Percussion: 2 players
• piano, guitar, accordion

The opera in sixteen scenes can be divided in three parts:^[a][13]