Paris has seen several World's Fairs. In addition to the one in 1889, where Debussy found groundbreaking inspiration through gamelan music, the 1900 Exposition literally ushered in a new century: the Métro was opened. Life now moved at a new pace to the rattling rhythm of subways, engines, and machines. It was to this Paris that Igor Stravinsky presented his ballet music "The Rite of Spring" in 1913, overwhelming and outraged the premiere audience with the archaic and percussive power of his composition. While the "Jazz Age" was in full swing in the USA, George Gershwin experienced its French counterpart around fifteen years later – a bustling, golden Paris in his "Années folles," whose impression he set to music in "An American in Paris." Gershwin's playful, "symphonic jazz" and Stravinsky's energizing beacon meet as electrifying poles in the two choreographies by Jeroen Verbruggen and Marco Goecke.

Festival Finale

Forum at the Castle Park

Vienna, circa 1860. The financially strapped Count Waldner is lodging with his family in a Viennese hotel. His only path to solvency is for him to secure an advantageous marriage for one of his two daughters – and the family can only afford to present Arabella, the eldest, in the upper circles of society. To conceal the family’s indigence, the parents have raised Zdenka as a boy, dressing her accordingly. Arabella is not short of suitors but has resolved to wait for ‘Mr Right’. When Mandryka, an aristocrat from a distant region, arrives, he and Arabella are instantly smitten. Arabella only asks to be able to bid farewell to her friends and suitors at the Fasching ball that evening.

Jeroen Verbruggen

Events

Past events

Jul 31 - Aug 1, 2025

Festival Finale · Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele

7 - 20 Mar, 2025

Arabella · Deutsche Oper Berlin

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