When the nights are at their longest, frosty wind and snow storms sweep the land, it is the time of the Koliada – of the pagan winter solstice feast and the Christian-orthodox Christmas celebration in equal measure. In these magical “twelve days of Christmas” the barrier between the human world and the realm of dark beings becomes especially thin. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “true” Christmas song, Die Nacht vor Weihnachten, based on the eponymous story by Nikolai Gogol, also plays out in this very same period.

Die Nacht vor Weihnachten

Max-Joseph-Platz

However, he coolly rejects her. When her sister's fiancé dies at Onegin's hands on her name day, he flees society. Years later, the dandy meets Tatyana again, who is now married. Now he suddenly discovers his intense affection for her. Tatyana, however, remains faithful to her husband - Prince Gremin - and rejects the desperate Eugene Onegin, even though she loves him.

Eugen Onegin

Vienna State Opera

The people are thirsty for blood. Another suitor for the hand of the sovereign is about to be publicly beheaded, because Princess Turandot is determined never to belong to any man. That’s why anyone who wants to marry her must first solve three riddles. Anyone who fails has to pay with his life. An unknown prince, revolted by Turandot’s cruelty, yet attracted by her beauty, takes on this potentially lethal risk – and solves the riddles. But has he awakened the ice-cold, man-murdering sovereign to love and put an end to her barbarity?

Dmitry Ulyanov

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 29 - Dec 22, 2025

Die Nacht vor Weihnachten · Bayerische Staatsoper

22 - 31 May, 2026

Eugen Onegin · Wiener Staatsoper

Jun 6 - Jul 6, 2026

Turandot · Bayerische Staatsoper

Past events

Nov 29 - Dec 22, 2025

Die Nacht vor Weihnachten · Bayerische Staatsoper

Future and recently performed repertoire

Timur in Turandot by Puccini

Bayerische Staatsoper

Fürst Gremin in Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky

Wiener Staatsoper

Tschub in The Night Before Christmas by Rimsky-Korsakov

Bayerische Staatsoper

About

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