Goetz's Lapidarium: A shocking requiem about art and death!

Goetz's Lapidarium: A shocking requiem about art and death!

On October 10, 2025, Munich experienced a brilliant premiere at the Residenztheater: Rainald Goetz's latest work entitled “Lapidarium”. The piece, which is unmistakably written in Goetz's unique handwriting, goes far beyond a mere theatrical performance. It is a powerful requiem that deals with death while at the same time focusing on the memory of great artists such as Andy Warhol, Ingeborg Bachmann and Philip Roth. The production, directed by Elsa-Sophie Jach, impresses with its poetic and essayistic elements, playful and at the same time profound. Nachtkritik highlights that Goetz's style is a fascinating mix of sketches and complex language composition.

Like a diary and a requiem at the same time, the piece also reflects Goetz’s own transience and that of his friends and companions. In a revitalization of Bavarian homeland, which is particularly aimed at Munich and the foothills of the Alps, around 250 people from art and politics are mentioned. The characters in “Lapidarium” are often male companions, including greats like Herbert Achternbusch and Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre, who shaped artistic life in Bavaria.

Artistic implementation and musical accompaniment

The stage, magically designed by Aleksandra Pavlović, is highlighted by visual effects, while Jonas Alsleben uses live camera techniques to create an innovative viewing experience. Support comes from the musical direction by Lena Geue, with live music performed by Barbara Kolb and Bernadette Wolf, who set impressive accents with their tuba. The ensemble, equipped with acting talents such as Sibylle Canonica and Pia Handel, delivers a powerful performance that captivates throughout the two hours without a break.

Another fascinating aspect is Goetz’s reference to previous works. “Lapidarium” represents the conclusion of his trilogy, which began with “In the Realm of Death” in 2020 and continued with the piece “Baracke” in 2023. This trilogy deals with central themes such as terrorism and social criticism, which are always present in Goetz's epochal works. This can also be traced back to the fundamental experiences he had while studying history, theater studies and medicine at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, before he became the stronghold of German pop literature Wikipedia.

About the author

Rainald Goetz, born in Munich in 1954, has dominated the German-language literary scene since the 1980s. His works are arranged chronologically within German pop literature and often address contemporary events and social tensions. His debut novel “Irre” made him instantly famous and he has since been considered a radically honest observer of society Nachtkritik.

With “Lapidarium” Goetz refreshes Munich’s theater life and makes us think, not only about what we have experienced, but also about what lies ahead. It remains exciting to see how this important work will further fuel the discussion about art and death in the coming seasons. The premiere marks a powerful start to the 2025/2026 season at the Residenztheater, and the audience is invited to embark on an emotional and thoughtful journey.