Dramaturge

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

Volksoper Wien

“I was already warned that I would have to fear for my life,” Carmen declares—foreseeing her own doom—in the finale of Bizet’s “opera of all operas” (as Nietzsche once called it). A few minutes later, she is dead, stabbed by the man who was still her lover only moments before, the soldier Don José. The team behind Killing Carmen—Nils Strunk, Lukas Schrenk, and Gabriel Cazes—asked themselves from which perspective this opera, after its many adaptations (including pop-cultural ones) throughout the 20th century, could be retold once again. These three exceptional artists, who for years have devoted themselves to daring and high-energy reinterpretations of the classics, continue the opera’s story: What happened after Carmen’s murder? What void did she leave behind?

Killing Carmen

Spring Awakening is a powerful rock musical about growing up, generational conflict, and the turmoil of awakening sexuality. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy, it redefined Broadway’s themes. Based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play Frühlings Erwachen, it criticizes social morality while exploring sexuality and repression. Wendla, Melchior, and Moritz face strict parents and teachers as well as unanswered questions about love and desire, with devastating results.

Spring Awakening

With this new production of the operetta classic The White Horse Inn, director Jan Philipp Gloger sets out in search of the contemporary aspects of the piece, which he recognizes above all in the theme of tourism. Come with us to the region of the Salzkammergut and take a look behind the façade of the traditional eponymous hotel!

In the White Horse Inn

Follies, one of Stephen Sondheim’s most personal and touching musicals, will have its first production at the Vienna Volksoper in a production by Martin G. Berger. The Chekhovian work with quotes from the music of the 1920’s to 40’s tells the story of two couples struggling with their life decisions and takes a nostalgic look at a glamorous and supposedly carefree past.

Follies

Following Così fan tutte, the final production of the first graduating class of the Volksoper’s opera studio, the second generation of this young ensemble now takes the stage with another repertoire classic at MuTh in the Augarten. In a newly created chamber version, director Maurice Lenhard highlights the close connections between Mozart’s opera and current global political dynamics, shaping it into a contemporary political thriller. Within this world, the two couples — Vitellia and Sesto, as well as Servilia and Annio — become entangled in a ruthless system of intrigue, corruption, and murder … for power and powerlessness lie dangerously close together.

Dramaturge

Magdalena Hoisbauer

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 25 - Dec 19, 2025

A Night in Venice · Volksoper Wien

Feb 19 - Apr 7, 2026

Spring Awakening · Volksoper Wien

Mar 1 - Apr 23, 2026

In the White Horse Inn · Volksoper Wien

Apr 18 - May 27, 2026

Follies · Volksoper Wien

8 - 10 May, 2026

Titus · Volksoper Wien

Past events

Oct 25 - Dec 19, 2025

A Night in Venice · Volksoper Wien

Oct 1, 2025

Killing Carmen · Volksoper Wien

About

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