The Vienna State Opera, a beacon of artistic brilliance, is set to dazzle audiences with its 2024-2025 season lineup. From the heart-wrenching tragedy of 'Roméo et Juliette' to the epic journey depicted in 'The Return of Ulysses,' the season promises an array of operatic and ballet masterpieces. The program also features Christopher Wheeldon's modern ballet 'The Winter's Tale,' weekly Open Classes for ballet enthusiasts, and an enchanting Chamber Music series. Audiences are invited to immerse themselves in this rich tapestry of storytelling and music, curated with passion and performed by world-class talent.

A Melodic Tapestry: The Vienna State Opera's 2024-2025 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper is set to host a series of remarkable events, showcasing operas such as 'Roméo et Juliette' and 'L'elisir d'amore', alongside ballet sessions and chamber music concerts, all promising to deliver a rich tapestry of artistic brilliance and cultural depth. Featuring renowned performers and timeless compositions, these events are poised to captivate audiences with their blend of dramatic storytelling, classical music, and dance excellence. Join us as we explore these diverse events that celebrate the power of performance and the enduring appeal of the arts.

An Operatic Odyssey: Captivating Performances at the Wiener Staatsoper

The Wiener Staatsoper presents an impeccable lineup of artistic events, from classic operas like 'Roméo et Juliette' and 'L'elisir d'amore' to thought-provoking ballet training sessions in their Open Class program. Additionally, the venue offers soul-soothing chamber music concerts and the timeless opera 'Bohemia'. With renowned performers and conductors taking the stage, this season promises to be an unforgettable experience for all art enthusiasts.

A Showcase of Timeless Classics and Ballet Excellence at Wiener Staatsoper

The Wiener Staatsoper is set to be the epicenter of an eclectic mix of performances, spotlighting its varied cultural offerings. From the tragic romance of 'Roméo et Juliette' to the comedic charm of 'L'elisir d'amore', the grandeur of opera will take center stage. Complementing these operatic narratives are the dynamic Open Class sessions by the Vienna State Ballet and intimate Chamber Music concerts that showcase virtuosity in a more personal setting. Join us as we delve into these captivating artistic expressions that promise to enchant audiences in Vienna.

A Cultural Celebration at the Wiener Staatsoper: Opera, Ballet, and Chamber Music Unite

Dive into the artistic world of the Wiener Staatsoper, where timeless tales like Roméo et Juliette echo through grand halls, ballet classes inspire both youth and professionals, and chamber music offers a refreshing auditory escape. This season, the opera house presents an enticing trio of events that promises to capture the hearts and imaginations of attendees, from the dramatic romance of a classic opera, the precise elegance of ballet, to the intimate allure of chamber music. Each event holds its unique charm and invites audiences to appreciate the diverse facets of performing arts.

A Cultural Odyssey: Opera, Ballet, and Chamber Music at Wiener Staatsoper

The curated events at Wiener Staatsoper promise to be a treat for opera and music enthusiasts. From the heart-wrenching opera 'Roméo et Juliette' performed by a stellar cast to ballet open classes led by top instructors, and surprise chamber music concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic, each event offers a unique artistic experience. Discover the passionate tales of love, the dedication to the dance, and the harmonious melodies that embody the spirit of these performances.

An Opera Lover's Dream: Roméo et Juliette, Ballet and Chamber Music at Wiener Staatsoper

The Vienna State Opera is set to host a spectacular series of events, showcasing a variety of operatic and ballet performances. With masterpieces like Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte', Puccini's 'Tosca', and Smetana's 'The Bartered Bride', coupled with the enchanting ballet 'Giselle', this season promises to be a feast for lovers of classical music and dance. Featuring an impressive line-up of talented performers, these events highlight the enduring appeal and emotive power of these classic works.

A Grand Celebration of Opera and Dance at Vienna State Opera

Step into a world of rich narratives and breathtaking artistry at the Vienna State Opera. From the enchanting journey of 'Die Zauberflöte' to the tragic beauty of 'Giselle,' and the intense passion of 'Tosca,' Vienna stands as a beacon for opera and ballet. Discover the captivating performances by world-class artists like Julian Prégardien, Serena Sáenz, Elena Bottaro, and many more, as they bring timeless stories to life. Join us as we delve into the details of this artistic spectacle that continues to resonate in the hearts of audiences.

A Symphony of Stories: Unveiling Vienna's Opera and Ballet Extravaganza

He wants to proclaim the imminent destruction of the world and frivolous humanity. Seduced and overwhelmed by the unknown desires of life, only Nekrotzar himself dies in the end. Everyone else comes to the moral that their temporary survival should be used to maintain the way of life they have led until then.

Le Grand Macabre

Vienna State Opera

Here is the elderly bachelor, intent on preserving his assets, who wants to slip into the role of lover once again. On the other, the young woman who cleverly leads him around by the nose.

Don Pasquale

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

Against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile of the Israelites the story of the Babylonian king Nabucco is told, who is only purified by a brief loss of power and gives freedom to the Hebrews he has imprisoned. On the other hand, it is also about the private conflict between Nabucco's daughters: while Abigaille wants to ascend to the throne at all costs, Fenena has converted to the Jewish faith out of love for the Israelite Ismaele.

Nabucco

Matinee zu »Clemenza di Tito«

He deserts, renounces a budding relationship with Micaëla, a girl from his village, and joins Carmen's band of smugglers. This time too, Carmen's feelings grow cold and she is only interested in the bullfighter Escamillo. An argument between Don José and Carmen escalates in front of the arena: Filled with jealousy, Don José kills his former lover.

Carmen

When the planned performance of his opera seria Ariadne auf Naxos in the palace of a Viennese nouveau riche is combined with the dance masquerade of an Italian comedy troupe, the young composer is initially in despair.

Ariadne auf Naxos

Two performances that always take place the day after the Opera Ball and have now introduced generations of young visitors to the world of musical theater. Seven thousand children from all over Austria experience a shortened, approximately one-hour performance of Mozart's opera in the festive ballroom, in which the character of Papageno leads the audience through the performance. The atmosphere on this afternoon is unique: the children follow the story of Tamino and Pamina with a curiosity and fascination that perhaps no other performance at the State Opera can match. The enchanted animals are admired a thousand times over, Mozart's music is listened to, the house is filled with children's laughter and spontaneous applause. The audience witnesses how the "Wunder Theater" unfolds its magical power and casts a spell over the young audience. Members of the Vienna State Opera ensemble sing and play, accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who present their instruments as part of this children's opera.

Die Zauberflöte für Kinder

Luisa, the daughter of the veteran Miller, is in love with a young hunter who has come to her village with the arrival of the new feudal lord. But Wurm, the castle steward, is also in love with Luisa. He reveals the true identity of the supposed huntsman to her father: It is Rodolfo, the feudal lord's son, which makes a marriage with Luisa impossible for reasons of status. Rodolfo wants to fight for his love, but he and Luisa fall into the trap of the intriguing and corrupt court society.

Luisa Miller

In his spectacular production, which juggles huge video screens and social media, Simon Stone brings this story into the present day. Violetta is a Parisian it-girl, an influencer who remains trapped in the Instagram bubble and whose life is at the mercy of virtual presentation and showmanship. She is lonely in the public eye - and an outsider.

La Traviata

George Balanchine’s Jewels is considered to be the first full-length ballet without a plot. Inspired by a visit to the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery store in New York, the choreographer decided to create a work based on the properties of various precious stones for his New York City Ballet in 1967.

Jewels

To win her over, he buys a love potion from the quack doctor Dulcamara - in reality a bottle of wine. But of course it is not the wine that ensures a happy ending, but his loving heart - and Adina's.

L'elisir d'amore

Don Basilio pesters Susanna with his intercession for the Count, Marcellina wants to sue for the old marriage contract with Figaro and Doctor Bartolo supports her, also out of old anger against Figaro. And then there is the page Cherubino, who is in love with all the women and whom all the women want to have around, preferably disguised as a girl ... Only with the combined forces of Figaro's imagination, Susanna's cleverness and the support of the betrayed countess can this "great day" be brought to a happy end.

Le nozze di Figaro

Matinee to  »Luisa Miller«

It tells the story of the Cretan king Idomeneo from Greek mythology, who, after returning from the Trojan War, has to choose between the life of his son Idamante and the welfare of his people. Salvation from the dilemma comes through the love between Idamante and the Trojan king's daughter Ilia, who lives on Crete as a prisoner of war.

Idomeneo, rè di Creta

She falls in love with the Chevalier Des Grieux - and he with her. But their time together is short-lived, as Manon gives in to the courtship of the rich Brétigny. This does not last long either, and she soon returns to her beloved Des Grieux. He wants to improve his financial situation by gambling. But he and Manon are arrested and she is exiled to America. However, the hardships in prison have broken her: she dies in Des Grieuxʼs arms on the way to the harbor.

Manon

Rusalka's loss of speech clearly reflects her fears of identification, exclusion and existence. Director Sven-Eric Bechtolf reflects these emotional and mental states in a surreal, unreal and oppressive world. The story of the renegade mermaid is told in haunting images between a snowy desert and barren woodland.

Rusalka

The children are captured by the witch, but with courage and cunning they manage to outwit and defeat her. In the end, they find their way back home and are greeted by their relieved parents. The opera is full of magical moments, enchanting music and a timeless message about courage, solidarity and the victory of good over evil.

Hänsel und Gretel

Their relationship goes through ups and downs as they share the joys and challenges of an artist's life with their friends Marcello, Musetta, Schaunard and Colline. But tragic circumstances and the poverty of the times put their love to the test. A timeless story of love, loss and the pursuit of beauty.

La Bohème

Her mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisth are to die for the murder of Elektra's father, Agamemnon. Clytemnestra, for her part, is tormented by anxious dreams and memories. Elektra is unable to win over her sister Chrysothemis to the plan to murder Clytemnestra and Aegisth. A mysterious stranger, who reveals himself to be her brother Orest, finally commits the deed. Elektra then dances a final, ecstatic dance.

Elektra

After all, who doesn't know these popular songs by the famous Comedian Harmonists from the 1920s? The Vienna Comedian Harmonists, five singers from the Vienna State Opera Chorus and their pianist, interpret the music of their great role models as faithfully as possible and delight their audience. Again and again

Vienna Comedian Harmonists

As Florestan wanted to expose Don Pizarro's brutal and lawless despotism, the latter had imprisoned him in a state prison run by him out of revenge, where Florestan was forced to vegetate under inhumane conditions.

Fidelio

Cio-Cio-San, on the other hand, takes the marriage very seriously. She converts to the Christian faith and accepts the break with her family. Pinkerton returns to the USA.

Madama Butterfly

At the heart of Věc Makropulos is a recipe for a life-prolonging elixir invented by the doctor Hieronymus Makropulos for Emperor Rudolf II. It was tested on the doctor's beautiful daughter, who has now been on earth for 337 years and has had countless affairs over the generations. In the end, however, the seemingly young woman has to realize that an endless life on this side of the world only brings loneliness...

Věc Makropulos

Matinee zu »Fidelio«

In the midst of the Grande Terreur, the community is divided between the prioress Madame Lidoine, who urges humility, and the novice mistress Mère Marie, who preaches martyrdom for the faith. The latter prevails, and before the Revolutionary Guards ban the order, the sisters take their vows - except for the absent prioress and Blanche, who cannot withstand the pressure and flees. When the Camelites, condemned to death for counter-revolutionary conspiracy, go to the scaffold, Blanche joins the condemned.

Dialogues des Carmélites

Roland Petit’s ballet, freely adapted from the operetta of the same name, is a true dance spectacle set to well-known and much-loved melodies by Johann Strauss (son) and is returning to the stage of the Vienna State Opera in time for the Strauss Year 2025.

Die Fledermaus

Enrico then takes advantage of Edgardo's prolonged absence to successfully undermine the marriage he has rejected and make Lucia agree to accept Arturo, whom she does not want. When Edgardo unexpectedly bursts into the middle of Lucia and Arturo's wedding celebrations and accuses Lucia of infidelity, she finally breaks down inside: In a fit of madness, she kills Arturo on their wedding night and dies herself shortly afterwards. When Edgardo learns of her death, he stabs himself.

Lucia di Lammermoor

The somewhat down-and-out knight Falstaff, who is blessed with self-confidence, makes his way in life as a man of action and searches for money and amorous adventures. He may not be successful, but Falstaff always wins the hearts of the audience. Conclusion of the cheerfully witty opera:"Everything is fun on earth!"

Falstaff

Méphistophélès, less an intellectual "principle of negation" than a devilishly attractive magician, draws his attention to Marguerite - and Faust is delighted. A deal is quickly struck: the devil serves Faust on earth, and after Faust's death it is to be the other way around. Marguerite is also not unimpressed by what Méphistophélès has to offer: material luxury and sensual pleasure, often musically illustrated by Gounod with a waltz. But the relationship between Faust and Marguerite remains an episode, as Faust is drawn to new attractions, while Marguerite remains pregnant, only to see her unfaithful lover kill her brother.

Faust

Each of Bellini's ten operas will be the subject of a separate introduction, including image and sound sequences, which corresponds to the current state of research and at the same time represents an invitation to the generally interested public to become (more) familiar with Bellini's operatic oeuvre as a whole.

The operas Vincenzo Bellini

When Don Giovanni tries to escape his pursuers and conceal his deeds, things get dicey. But in the end, he is called to account by a supernatural force and dragged to hell, while everyone else reflects on the transience of power and the justice of fate. The opera is a captivating portrayal of love, seduction, revenge and moral responsibility.

Don Giovanni

His family includes his daughter Geneviève and his grandsons, the half-brothers Golaud and Pelléas. One day, Golaud finds a mysterious young woman by the water. The beautiful Mélisande. He takes her home and marries her. But Pelléas also feels strangely attracted to her and seeks her out more and more. Finally, Mélisande also confesses her love for him. However, their escape together is prevented by the jealous Golaud: He kills Pelléas and seriously injures his pregnant wife. After the birth of their child - a daughter - Mélisande dies. She leaves the desperate Golaud in the dark about the nature of her relationship with Pelléas until the end.

Pelléas et Mélisande

These are the opening words used by Chariton of Aphrodisias, who describes himself as “clerk of the lawyer Athenagoras”, in his prose romance of Callirhoe and Chaereas, whose joyous wedding is followed by all manner of conflicts, disasters, abductions and dangers before they are finally reunited.

Kallirhoe

A bet is made and Don Alfonso hires Despina, Fiordiligi and Dorabella's employee, to help with the intrigue. In disguise, the men finally succeed in seducing each other's fiancée. After Don Alfonso and Despina have broken up the intrigue, it is left to the four young lovers to deal with the consequences of the story.

Così fan tutte

At the now traditional recitals, you will experience internationally renowned singers not in the usual opera productions, but with specially compiled song and aria programs.

The last Take there humanity

Recital Rolando Villazon

Recital Nadine Sierra

Recital Anna Netrebko

Concert Julia Kleiter & Günter Groissböck

A Diva is Born

Recital Michael Spyres

He has bought the three of them as slaves and fallen in love with Konstanze. However, she wants to remain faithful to Belmonte and is prepared to endure the torture she is threatened with. A planned escape by Belmonte and the three prisoners fails. The Bassa recognizes Belmonte's plea for mercy as the son of his mortal enemy, who once stole his beloved and forced him to leave his homeland. But he gives everyone their freedom: »If you can't win someone over by doing them good, you have to get rid of them.«

Die Entführung aus dem Serail

The introductory matinees on Sunday mornings before a premiere at the Vienna State Opera have been a regular feature of the programme of the Vienna State Ballet. They offer a variety of insights into the process of creating a ballet and working with the dancers.

Matinee to »Kallirhoe«

Chamber Music

Hamm, in a wheelchair, is served by Clov. Hamm's parents Nell and Nagg have been living in (garbage) cans since they lost their legs in a cycling accident. These four move between the continuous return of the unchangeable and the memory of "the past" by bullying and cajoling each other, conjuring and cursing, narrating and interrupting.

Fin de partie

Studio concert

So everything would be wonderful - if it weren't for Don Bartolo, Rosina's guardian, who won't let her out of the house or out of his sight. He wants to marry Rosina himself and can rely on the support of music teacher Don Basilio, who provides him with information about his rival. The Count's dedicated helper is the title character: Figaro, Barber of Seville and the Count's former servant. His many pieces of good advice result above all in stunningly funny stage scenes and at least do not prevent the two lovers from finding each other in the end.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Smetana's Bartered Bride depicts the state of emergency into which an entire Czech village is plunged during the fair and the seemingly hopeless struggle of a young woman for her seemingly betrayed and sold love. The utopian counter-world of a traveling circus holds up a mirror to the villagers' desires, their dependencies, fears and hopes.

Die verkaufte Braut (Prodaná Nevěsta)

Ensemble ­matinee im Mahler-Saal

But the chief of police, Scarpia, manages to track Cavaradossi down: He is to be executed. To save him, Scarpia demands physical devotion from Tosca, Cavaradossi's beloved. She agrees, receives the promise of a mock execution - and murders Scarpia. However, he has betrayed her and Cavaradossi is actually shot. For Tosca, life has become meaningless and she throws herself off Castel Sant'Angelo.

Tosca

In their dead hearts, an untamed lust for dancing continues to beat. As spirits, they leave their graves at night – and if a living man comes near them at this time, they will dance him to death.

Giselle

The poet Heinrich Heine tells the legend of the mysterious Wilis, young women who must die before their wedding day because their love has been betrayed.

Lydia Steier's production shows us three worlds: A dazzling vaudeville atmosphere in which Venus is at home - the first act. Then the cold, restrictive Wartburg world (Act 2) and an illusionless media landscape in Act 3. As a second level, Steier inserts a theatrical journey through time: It begins with the cult that does not separate audience from spectator, then the path leads to sensual baroque theater and ends up in the classic separate spectator-performer situation; finally, Steier leads us into a landscape in which isolation has taken hold and flashing screens draw attention to themselves. Until, in the final moments, she draws a line back to baroque theater.

Tannhäuser

Matinee to  »The sold Broke«

Together with Papageno, he sets off on his journey. In the course of his undertaking, Tamino recognizes Sarastro's kindness. He passes several tests and, together with Pamina, is allowed to take Sarastro's place as a reward. Papageno also finds a suitable partner: Papagena.

Die Zauberflöte

Her father hopes that she will be cured by the famous physician Ibn-Hakia - only when she can see will Iolanta meet her fiancé Robert of Burgundy. But things turn out differently: Robert wants to break off the engagement because he loves another princess. His companion and friend Vaudemont, on the other hand, falls in love with Iolanta at first sight and she returns his love. Love becomes the key to treatment, the cure succeeds and Iolanta learns to see.

Iolanta

Iago, a scheming, malicious ensign of Otello's, wants to destroy him. And he actually succeeds in doing so in a clever way: he is able to gradually convince Otello that his idol Desdemona is cheating on him. It is only after Otello has murdered his wife in a fit of hatred and jealousy that he realizes her innocence. Full of remorse, Otello stabs himself and, dying, bids farewell to his beloved dead wife with a kiss.

Otello

The penniless and insecure Nemorino loves the rich and well-read Adina.

To win her over, he buys a love potion from the quack doctor Dulcamara - in reality a bottle of wine. But of course it is not the wine that ensures a happy ending, but his loving heart - and Adina's.

Wiener Staatsoper

Bohemia

In the Mahler Hall, musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will surprise you with a selection of different works by different composers at each concert.

With a weekly Open Class the Vienna State Ballet offers professional dancers, dance teachers, and students as well as advanced amateurs (age 14 and above) the opportunity to take part in a top-class ballet training. Led by Louisa Rachedi, Claudine Schoch, Annkathrin Dehn, Samuel Colombet and Daniel Vizcayo. The classical training takes place to live piano accompaniment.

Open Class

With The Winter’s Tale, based on William Shakespeare’s tragicomedy of the same name, the British star choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has created a modern ballet about second chances that tells a tense story of the most fundamental human emotions surrounding jealousy, revenge, love and redemption: 

The Winter’s  Tale

The Return of Ulysses  in his homeland

The introductory matinees on Sunday mornings before a premiere at the Vienna State Opera have been a regular feature of the programme of the Vienna State Ballet since Martin Schläpfer took over as director. They offer a variety of insights into the process of creating a ballet and working with the dancers.

matinee to  The Winter’s  Tale

Music of all periods, aesthetics, genres and instrumentations is a source of inspiration for dance makers, performed live or played from recordings, as sound collages, soundscapes or remixes. For many decades, however, the creation of original ballet scores has increasingly taken a back seat. The repertoires of ballet companies show this: Dance also needs new music, and large-scale, full-length narrative ballet in particular needs new composers. On the occasion of the premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's The Winter's Tale, we discuss the topic of new music for dance with composers Joby Talbot and Christof Dienz, ballet director Martin Schläpfer and choreographer Andrey Kaydanovskiy as well as other guests in the first dance podium of the 2024/25 season.

Dance podium: New  Music for  the dance

Dialog am  lion sofa

Recital  Pretty Yende

This quote from Franz Kafka would be an apt subtitle for Britten's Billy Budd. The satanic officer Claggart succeeds in making the angelic and therefore guileless sailor Billy Budd, who is loved by everyone, innocently guilty and thus destroyed.









Billy Budd

The operatic character is thus retained along the way. The audience is introduced to Senta's birthday party guests at venue one. A friendly ship rat welcomes everyone. In location two, the audience is on Senta's dad Daland's houseboat, where he has prepared everything for the big birthday party. But the Dutchman and his ghost pirates "crash" into this exuberant party atmosphere and the story takes a completely new turn. The big showdown then takes place at location three - on the beach, where the cursed ghost ship is anchored.

The cursed  ghost ship

Roméo Montaigu and Juliette Capulet fall in love at a party.

As the two families are enemies to the core, this love and the wedding that is soon to take place must remain secret. As Juliette is to be married off by her unsuspecting father, she takes a drug that puts her into a death-like sleep. The mock-dead woman is buried in the crypt. Roméo, who believes her to be dead, takes a poison potion at her grave. When Juliette wakes up and sees her dying husband in front of her, she stabs herself.

Roméo et Juliette

For the naval lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, his marriage to Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, is a non-committal convenience during his stay in Nagasaki.

felt  Butterfly

Amidst the first fragile and gentle sounds of this opera is an air of foreboding death that lingers, and yet Violetta Valéry’s enthusiasm for life’s luxurious pastimes is still unwavering: She is the »It-Girl« of Parisian society and throws a lavish party during which she tries to mask her seriously ill health. It is here, where she is introduced to Alfredo, a young man from the country. He has fallen in love with her, while she, at first, mockingly rejects his passionate advances, telling him she was not created for a love as intense as his. But she cannot stop thinking of his hauntingly enthusiastic declaration of love, and she then decides to start a new life at his side. The two withdraw from society and return to the country. After a few months of living together, Alfredo's father invades the couple's retreat and forces Violetta to leave her partner: she is a danger to his family's happiness and honour. Violetta acquiesces, and to make the separation easier on Alfredo, she hides the real reason for leaving him. When he confronts her at a ball in the capital, she claims to love someone else, whereupon the desperate Alfredo publicly humiliates her as being a harlot for sale. Weeks later, he learns that Violetta has sacrificed their happily ever after for his family, but it is too late: all hope is shattered upon Violetta's deathbed.Giuseppe Verdi's opera, first performed in 1853, is based on »La Dame aux Camélias«, or »The Fallen Lady«, a novel and play by Alexandre Dumas the Younger, who brought the myth of the selfless sinner into the present times of 1848: The figure of the courtesan is exposed to the purifying powers of suffering and love, which, in challenging bourgeois morality, make her character acceptable to a bourgeois readership. For the first time, Verdi chose contemporary material for a tragic opera and, what’s more, used an »objectionable« main character. »For Venice I will do the 'Lady of the Camellias', which may have 'Traviata' as its title,« is what he wrote to his friend Cesare de Sanctis. »A contemporary subject. Another one might not have made it, because of the costumes, the time and a thousand other silly scruples. ...I do it with the greatest of pleasures.«A performance in contemporary costumes was important to the composer, but found himself unable to have the last word regarding the imposed censorships: the plot had to be moved »to the time of Richelieu«, i.e. to the first half of the 17th century. Verdi could only try to remedy the damage done, as the librettist Francesco Maria Piave wrote in a letter to the director of the theatre putting on the premiere: »As far as the costumes are concerned, Verdi agrees with the greatest displeasure to move the plot to the past. However, he does not allow wigs under any circumstances, which is why Mr. de Antoni must be instructed to use costumes from the period immediately before wigs were introduced.« This falsification continued into the 20th century, and some sheet music and text editions still show the story being set »in the 17th century«.Nevertheless, the criticism of the bourgeois-capitalist double standard of morality as shown in the play was likely to be noticed even during the premiere, perhaps that is why it resulted in such a fiasco. Verdi was disappointed but did not doubt his work: »For my part, I believe that the last word about 'Traviata' was not spoken yesterday.« It would become one of the most performed operas in the world to date.The music in the opera is in line with the theme of an era that is nearing its end by setting itself up in a high tempo – as if there were no time to lose in view of the approaching end. As if breathlessly, the sound of a lavish social scene made up of galloping and waltz notes underpin the mundane conversational tone. Refined spatial effects shift the focus of action from the masses to the individual: With her weakness and her fear of death, the ill protagonist remains alone in the midst of a festive crowd. The intimate drama of Violetta inspired the composer – who treats the material with an unusually high degree of realism – to create scenic chamber music. The use of spoken language in Violetta's final agony also has a direct influence to this day in the context of an aesthetic that is largely committed to the vocal ideal of bel canto opera.Pretty Yende, who will appear for the first time in September in »L'elisir d'amore« at the Vienna State Opera, can now be heard as Violetta Valéry, with Frédéric Antoun as Alfredo at her side. And conductor Giacomo Sagripanti, winner of the International Opera Award as »Young Conductor of the Year«, will for the first time conduct a premiere at the Vienna State Opera after »L'elisir d'amore« and »La Fille du régiment«.Director Simon Stone stages Violetta Valéry as a terminally ill influencer who remains trapped in her »Instagram world« even when she and her lover retire to the country. Everything private is public in her case, but the public urban space becomes her only retreat during her moments of weakness.

La traviata

La fille du régiment

Three choreographies – three visions for a contemporary ballet. Visionary Dances brings together dance artists who have each found an individual approach to the academic dance and have taken classical ballet into new dimensions.

Visionary Dances

The male alliance of the Knights of the Grail is in crisis. Time and again, knights desert to the opposite realm of the sorcerer Klingsor, who had previously been rejected by the circle of knights.

Parsifal

Alban Berg's Wozzeck tells the story of a tormented creature who, beset by visions and fears, ridiculed and tormented by society, is driven out of existence - until the final catastrophe occurs and the victim also becomes a perpetrator.

Wozzeck

Based on the historical Genoese Doge Simon Boccanegra at the end of the Middle Ages, Verdi portrays a ruler who desperately tries to rule well, keep hostile factions in check and ultimately becomes a victim himself, as a kind of scapegoat.

Simon Boccanegra

He was condemned by Satan to sail the world's oceans until a woman frees him from this curse through her loyalty. One day, when Senta's father returns home from a long voyage with a mysterious man, Senta is the only one who recognizes the Flying Dutchman in the sinister foreign captain. At the cost of self-destruction, she decides to redeem him.

Der fliegende Holländer

The ascetic prophet Jochanaan, who preaches repentance, seems to offer her an escape from this world. However, he rejects her longing. Full of immature anger, she demands his head. When Salome kisses the prophet's bloody mouth, her stepfather Herod orders her to be killed.

Salome

He asks the marshal for a suitable candidate to deliver a silver rose to his very young bride Sophie - daughter of the newly ennobled, rich Lord of Faninal. The Marschallin suggests Octavian. She reflects melancholically on the transience of life. With a »light heart and light hands«, she wants to let Octavian go one day..

Der Rosenkavalier

The temple priestess Leila is supposed to banish the water spirits with her singing and protect the fishermen without ever lifting her veil. The return of Zurga's childhood friend Nadir throws events out of balance. The two friends had once sworn to renounce a girl they both loved in order to preserve their friendship. After Leila turns out to be this very girl, Nadir breaks his vow, just as Leila breaks hers, by lifting the veil. Zurga, who not only realizes that Leila once saved his life, but can now also admit his selfishness and jealousy, prevents the execution that the pearl fishers demand for the double breach of oath.

Les Pêcheurs de perles

The dwarf Alberich, ridiculed and rejected by the three Rhinemaidens, steals the Rhinegold,curses love and uses the gold to forge a ring that bestows great power. From then on, everyone lusts after it, but it brings death and destruction, laden with a curse.

Das Rheingold

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

With their incestuous, adulterous love, they violate the guest and marriage laws that Wotan's wife Fricka watches over. Siegmund is therefore supposed to die in a duel with Hunding, but Wotan's daughter Brünnhilde, a Valkyrie, defies her father's will and fights for Siegmund. Wotan is forced to kill Siegmund himself. Brünnhilde is punished by her father: he surrounds her with a wall of fire and sinks her into a deep sleep.

Die Walküre

He has never learned to fear. So he manages to forge the sword Notung and use it to kill the dragon Fafner. He wins the Ring of the Nibelung and is led by the forest bird to Brünnhilde, who has been put to sleep by the god Wotan. Siegfried awakens Brünnhilde and they both fall in love with each other.

Siegfried

In the final part of the Nibelung tetralogy, Siegfried goes out into the world, gets caught up in Hagen's intrigues and is murdered by him. Dying, he remembers his love for Brünnhilde.

Götterdämmerung

On a neglected farm, the animals revolt against their tyrannical owner. After some time, however, they are forced to submit to the yoke of a new leader from their own ranks.

Animal Farm

Il tabarro is a gloomy marital drama set in the milieu of Parisian boatmen on the Seine: Grief for their deceased child stands between the couple Michele and Giorgetta, Giorgetta's affair with the worker Luigi ends in tragedy.

Il Trittico

Christopher Wheeldon, regarded as a natural heir to Frederick Ashton, bridges the legacies of Ashton and George Balanchine, both of whom deeply respected and influenced one another.

Wiener Staatsoper

15 - 25 Mar, 2026

Le Grand Macabre

Oct 4, 2025 - Jun 13, 2026

Chamber Music

6 - 27 Mar, 2026

La Clemenza di Tito

Sep 25, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026

Die verkaufte Braut (Prodaná Nevěsta)

Mar 27 - Apr 17, 2026

Visionary Dances

15 - 25 Mar, 2026

Le Grand Macabre

6 - 13 Mar, 2026

Don Pasquale

Articles & News

Wiener Staatsoper