This evening will be unforgettable: Star director Tiago Rodrigues, author and special guest of the 2026 Wiesbaden May Festival, takes a close look at Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde." His production traces the eventful path of the Tristan myth through rewritings and ambiguities to the present day. In a vast archive, dancers Sofia Dias and Vítor Roriz turn over pages of this story, bringing it close to our present through their questions. Produced at the Opéra Nancy, Rodrigues' interpretation was met with enthusiasm there, not least because it "increases the concentration on singing and listening" (Concerti). And this becomes a true delight, as only young, internationally successful Wagnerian singers grace the Wiesbaden stage: Ric Furman (Tristan) launched his international career with prizes at Wagner competitions after an engagement at the local State Theatre. Carla Filipcic Holm (Isolde) is one of Argentina's most sought-after sopranos and is currently taking European stages and the hearts of the press by storm. While Irene Roberts, celebrated from the Metropolitan Opera to the Bayreuth Festival, takes on the role of Brangäne, Tommi Hakala returns to Wiesbaden as Kurwenal after his success in the title role of "The Flying Dutchman."

Tristan and Isolde: Music drama by Richard Wagner

Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Tito exercises magnanimity: he forgives his opponents and donates the money intended for the construction of a temple in his honor to the victims of the last eruption of Vesuvius. He also releases Servilia, whom he wanted to marry for reasons of raison d'état, when her lover Annio asks him to do so. But he is not armed against the secret wrath of Vitellia, who claims him and the co-regency for herself and incites his friend Sesto to murder and riot. The Capitol is already in flames. When Sesto confesses to being the instigator of the uprising, Tito is faced with the decision of signing the Senate's death warrant or allowing the proverbial leniency to prevail.

La Clemenza di Tito

Vienna State Opera

Is it really singing? Or is it perhaps just whistling? This question constantly occupies the mouse community when they talk about Josefine, their singer. But in a society worn down by work, her art finds little recognition – after all, it sounds suspiciously like the widespread whistling of mice. Josefine struggles to break free from the harsh daily life of the mice so she can dedicate herself entirely to singing. But such a deviation is not part of the mouse community's self-image, and the singer is ultimately forced to make a decision.

JOSEFINE: Musical theatre based on Franz Kafka

Franziska Angerer's production of Joseph Haydn's oratorio is all about creating something you can take part in! General Music Director Leo McFall conducts, the Bach Choir Wiesbaden, the State Theater's extra choir, and children and young people from the Evangelical Singing Academy Wiesbaden take part. And the audience is also asked to take part when, in the weeks and months before the premiere, something new is created directly behind the theater to accompany the production.

The Creation

What would I give my life for? How can I stand up for love and freedom? In Beethoven's opera, Leonore has to face existential questions. Her husband Florestan has openly spoken out about social injustice and disappeared into prison. Leonore dares everything and - disguised as Fidelio - sets out to free him. The role has been sung many times by the exceptional singer Evelyn Herlitzius. In Wiesbaden she directed the production for the first time and tells the story of the political prisoner Florestan and his liberator Leonore as a question about the people behind the heroism.

Fidelio

She received great enthusiasm for her dazzling, sophisticated music, and yet she performed almost exclusively within her own four walls: Barbara Strozzi, singer and one of the most exciting and productive composers before 1700.

Salon Strozzi

The wild hand puppets of puppetry master Nikolaus Habjan conquer the stage! In his celebrated production at the Theater Basel, everyone is drawn into the fast-paced, funny and sometimes darkly absurd game of confusion surrounding the barber Figaro. No one escapes the puppets - until the cheerful happy ending. A comedy for families as well as for a good evening with friends.

The Barber of Seville: Gioacchino Rossini

Good and evil, childhood and growing up, dreams, fears and trials - the popular opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart puts people at the centre. And at the same time it is a fairy tale: Prince Tamino is not necessarily a hero in the classic sense. When the three ladies entrust him with the task of freeing the Queen of the Night's daughter from the clutches of the mysterious Sarastro, he is anything but enthusiastic. But a picture of the young princess suddenly gives him new motivation: he falls head over heels in love with Pamina's image. He sets off with the quirky bird catcher Papageno. Equipped with the magic flute and magic bells, they are ready (or not) to face Sarastro's three great trials.

The Magic Flute: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

"Così fan tutte: Everyone does it!" The cynical Don Alfonso doesn't believe in promises of love or vows of fidelity. He makes a bet with two friends, determined to prove that their fiancées will be unfaithful within a single day. Intrigues, seduction games, and emotional turmoil ensue. Mozart's "Così fan tutte" portrays humanity adrift and lost – searching for friendship and love, searching for itself. French director Marie-Ève ​​Signeyrole invites 20 couples from Wiesbaden to each performance, allowing them to take their seats on stage and experience the theatrical evening with a unique sense of immediacy.

Katleho Mokhoabane

Events

Upcoming events

1 - 24 May, 2026

Tristan and Isolde: Music drama by Richard Wagner · Staatstheater Wiesbaden

17 - 27 Jun, 2026

Così fan tutte: Opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Past events

1 - 24 May, 2026

Tristan and Isolde: Music drama by Richard Wagner · Staatstheater Wiesbaden

6 - 27 Mar, 2026

La Clemenza di Tito · Wiener Staatsoper

Future and recently performed repertoire

Tito in La clemenza di Tito by Mozart

Wiener Staatsoper

Ferrando in Così fan tutte by Mozart

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Tamino in The Magic Flute by Mozart

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Voice of a young sailor | A shepherd in Tristan and Isolde by Wagner

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Uriel in The Creation by Haydn

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville by Rossini

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

Jaquino in Fidelio by Beethoven

Staatstheater Wiesbaden

About

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