Actor

In the 19th century, Penzance was one of the most idyllic and peaceful little towns on the British isle. Pirates... here?! The kings of English operetta, the writing duo Gilbert & Sullivan, had a knack for humorously subverting their audience’s expectations. With this satirical and subversive “recipe,” they created one hit after another.

The rather absurd plot of The Pirates of Penzance would have done proud even to the British humor of Monty Python back in the 19th century: A young man is not trained as a pilot, but instead apprenticed to the Pirates of Penzance because his hard-of-hearing governess confuses the words “pilot” and “pirate.” Upon turning 21, Frederic should have completed his apprenticeship—if only he hadn’t been born in a leap year! According to pirate logic, that makes him just five years old… From this existential dilemma unfolds a love story between the young pirate apprentice and Mabel, a young lady from the British military aristocracy..

The Pirates of Penzance

Volksoper Wien

Two French villages 100 years ago have been at loggerheads for generations, although nobody knows exactly why. It is the children who are fighting this battle. They regularly meet in the forest and fight each other. However, the fact that clothes are torn and buttons are cut off in the process infuriates the parents, who give the children a hard time about it. The gang of rascals must therefore show all kinds of ingenuity in order to continue the brawls.

The stage version, written by Johanna Arrouas, is based on the classic children’s book by Louis Pergaud and the iconic film version. Well-known chansons convey the French savoir vivre.

The War of the Buttons

The operetta A Night in Venice, composed in 1883, drew on the overflowing enthusiasm that Vienna held for the Serenissima — an affection that reached another peak with the opening of the “Venice in Vienna” theme park in the Prater in 1895.

The plot revolves around the pleasure-seeking Duke of Urbino, a notorious womanizer, who wishes to take advantage of the Carnival season to pursue a romantic conquest under the cover of colorful masks and disguise… Specifically, the Duke sets his sights on Barbara, the wife of Venetian senator Delaqua. Several schemes — some aiming to thwart the Duke’s plan, others to support it — intersect and clash, and in the end, the Duke finds himself facing not one, but three Barbaras!

A Night in Venice

Operetta has always been an escape from everyday life into a dream world. But what if what is happening in the world is so terrible that it can no longer be forgotten? In the first months of 1938, current political life intrudes into the Volksoper during rehearsals for the operetta Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau. What do intolerance, discrimination and fascism do to the staff of the Volksoper?

In the course of rehearsals, the seizure of power by the National Socialists brings about serious changes for the Volksoper: dismissals follow at all levels of the house. A captivating look into the mirror of the past can also mean a confrontation with a painful period in the history of the Volksoper. We don't want to avoid that. By telling the story of the Volksoper staff, we preserve the memory of ALL victims. At the same time, we do not lose sight of the actions of the perpetrators, which could happen again at any time, but we also remember the countless people who did not raise their voices.

Let 's forget the world - Volksoper 1938

Just as William Shakespeares’ Romeo and Juliet are born into rival families, Maria and Tony are linked to rival gangs. Tony is a Jet, a gang of white American youths led by his best friend Riff. Maria’s brother Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks, a gang of Puerto Rican immigrants. Maria and Tony fall in love, the gangs fight, Tony happens to kill Maria’s brother. Maria, who still loves Tony, agrees to elope with him. But Tony receives a fake message saying that Maria is dead ...

Actor

Nicolaus Hagg

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 27, 2025 - Jun 20, 2026

West Side Story · Volksoper Wien

Past events

Mar 27 - May 2, 2026

The Pirates of Penzance · Volksoper Wien

Nov 9, 2025

The War of the Buttons · Volksoper Wien

Future and recently performed repertoire

Detective Schrank in West Side Story by Bernstein

Volksoper Wien

Policeman6 in The Pirates of Penzance by Sullivan

Volksoper Wien

Walter Schödel (foreman) in Let 's forget the world by Kagarlitsky

Volksoper Wien

Stefano Barbaruccio, Senator of Venice in A Night in Venice by Strauss

Volksoper Wien

Louis, the teacher in The War of the Buttons by Berghmans

Volksoper Wien

About

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