After visiting an exhibition showcasing paintings by his deceased friend, the composer Modest Mussorgsky wrote his famous work "Pictures at an Exhibition" in 1874. The expressive paintings by Viktor Hartmann inspired Mussorgsky to set them to music: to translate colors, figures, and moods into sounds, thus bringing the artworks to life. Pictures became musical pieces. But can these musical pieces become pictures again today? We'll find out: The State Theatre's Symphony Orchestra brings Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" to the stage in a large orchestral version, while artists paint live to the music. A feast for the eyes and ears!

Pictures at an exhibition

Detmold Theatre

Prince Sandor of Sylvaria had to sell his castle to bring some money into the state coffers. The new owner is the American Mary, who believes she can buy anything with money – but she encounters resistance when it comes to Sandor's heart. The two couldn't be more different: she's a lighthearted jazz fan, while his heart (still) dances to three-quarter time. Add to that a typical operetta farce full of the finest humor.

The Duchess of Chicago

Scharoun-Theater Wolfsburg

A fisherman and his wife live in a miserable hut. One day, the fisherman catches an enchanted, talking flounder, which he immediately releases. At home, his wife reproaches him, demanding that he ask the flounder for some prosperity. Reluctantly, for the sake of peace, he visits the flounder again and wishes for a proper farm for his wife.

The Fisherman and His Wife

Theater in der Stadthalle

A young vixen is captured by a forester. On his farm, she grows into a strong and independent fox, inciting the hens to revolt and biting the rooster's throat. She escapes into the wilderness, drives the badger from his den, marries the fox, produces countless offspring, and is finally shot by a poacher.

The clever little fox

Prince Tamino no longer wants to be a prince. However, when he falls in love with the portrait of Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night, he is ready for any heroic deed. First, he is to free Pamina from Sarastro's clutches for the Queen, and then, once in Sarastro's realm, he must face life-threatening trials for him. At his side are the free-spirited Papageno and a magic flute. In the end, Tamino and Pamina are reunited, and Papageno is no longer alone – a happy ending? "The Magic Flute" is a beautiful parable about growing up, told in dreamlike images by director Dirk Schmeding for young and old alike.

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The Magic Flute

Stadttheater Minden

Kurpark Bad Oeynhausen

Konzert Theater Coesfeld 

Operetta has a reputation for being the inferior little sister of opera: kitsch, slapstick, and cheap entertainment. Yet experts agree that operetta is the secret king of musical theater, considered a socio-political mirror of its time.

It will get light again...

Stadttheater Lippstadt

In her exotic, enchanted realm, Alcina is the sole ruler: she can seduce anything and anyone. Men she tires of, she transforms into mute objects. But for Ruggiero, she feels love for the first time – and also the fear of losing her beloved. When his fiancée, Bradamante, ventures into the enchanted realm to free Ruggiero, Alcina risks losing everything.

Claudio Novati

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 4 - Jul 5, 2026

The Fisherman and His Wife · Landestheater Detmold

May 7 - Jun 25, 2026

The Duchess of Chicago · Landestheater Detmold

12 - 19 Jun, 2026

Alcina · Landestheater Detmold

Past events

29 - 31 May, 2026

Pictures at an exhibition · Landestheater Detmold

May 7 - Jun 25, 2026

The Duchess of Chicago · Landestheater Detmold

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in The Cunning Little Vixen by Janáček

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in The Magic Flute by Mozart

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in Alcina by Handel

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in The Gypsy Baron by II

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in Die Fledermaus by Strauss

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in The Merry Widow by Lehár

Landestheater Detmold

Conductor in Die Herzogin von Chicago by Kálmán

Landestheater Detmold

About

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