Graz Opera opens its doors to an exhilarating season brimming with diverse musical offerings. From the intimate charm of the Espresso Concert to the adventurous spirit of 'On the Town', audiences are invited on a journey through opera, musicals, and ballet. Art enthusiasts and families alike will find something to enjoy in performances such as 'Rigoletto', 'Snow White and The 77 Dwarfs', and 'La Divina Comedia'. Join us as we delve into the details of this vibrant season and the remarkable talent behind each production.

A Kaleidoscope of Melodies: Discover Graz Opera's Vibrant Season

Oper Graz invites you to a vibrant cultural journey through a series of captivating performances. From the intimate Espresso concert to ballet's reinterpretation of 'The Divine Comedy', the program is designed to enchant and inspire audiences of all ages. Featured performances include Bernstein’s 'On the Town', Verdi's evocative 'Rigoletto', and the whimsical 'Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs'. Each event showcases a unique artistic narrative, blending traditional opera with contemporary elements that promise a memorable experience. With free admission for certain events, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

A Cultural Odyssey at Oper Graz: From Sailor's Tales to Ballet's Bliss

Oper Graz is set to captivate audiences with a diverse array of performances ranging from intimate concerts to grand operas. This season includes the Espresso concert series featuring talented ensemble members, the emotionally charged Rigoletto, and a modern twist on Snow White. Not to mention, operatic masterpieces like Wozzeck and the unique musical journey of My Favorite Animal is Called Winter. Join us as we delve into the creative works and talents that make this season a must-see for music and art enthusiasts.

Exploring the Eclectic Artistry at Oper Graz: A Season of Musical Marvels

250 years of independence, 250 years of freedom! On 4 July 1776, the 13 British colonies declared their independence and thus founded the USA: a major step towards freedom and self-determination. What does this freedom look like today, a quarter of a millennium later? Perhaps in The Unanswered Question, Charles Ives was contemplating the contradictory nature of man’s impatience and desperation to find quick answers to profound questions. At any rate, this is how Leonard Bernstein interpreted the structure and musical development of his compatriot’s work. In his own work, the piano concerto-like Second Symphony The Age of Anxiety, inspired by the poem of the same name by W. H. Auden, Bernstein is also concerned with the great questions of humanity, which four lonely strangers ask themselves in a New York bar.

»Freedom! 250 Jahre Declaration of Independence«

Oper Graz

With what is probably the most famous fragment in opera literature, four directing teams are presenting themselves for the first time at Graz Opera, immersing themselves in aesthetically completely different universes with very different artistic approaches – film animation, puppetry and choreographically moving bodies. In three episodes, dazzling worlds full of fantastic characters and events unfold. Always at the centre of the action as the protagonist and creator of the scenery: the poet himself.

Hoffmann's Tales (The Tales of Hoffmann)

In one of his most famous films – Modern Times – Charlie Chaplin struggles desperately against the monotony of his work on the assembly line of a factory. In one scene, he gets caught up in an oversized gear train while still dutifully tightening the screws – a symbol of the modern world of work and the power of its machines over people. In today’s “modern times”, we too are driven. Many of us are no longer able to relax or unwind without feeling guilty. Every free minute is filled with tasks and appointments: more and more is demanded in less and less time. Social networks also play their part. Dance thrives on speed – but also on calm. The dance evening Modern Times takes a moving look at the rhythm of life and its changes.

Modern Times

5th Music Association Concert

Stefaniensaal

Philipp M. Krenn, director of Schlaflos in the 2023/24 season, is staging Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s melancholy global success, in which the soaring waltz melodies are just as much historical fiction as the timeless portrait of society full of arrogance, calculated intrigues and complex amours. The celebrated Hungarian soprano Polina Pastirchak returns to Graz Opera as the Marschallin, and former ensemble member Tetiana Miyus as Sophie. At her side: audience favourite Wilfried Zelinka as Ochs von Lerchenau.

The Rosenkavalier

Chamber Concert 8 »Sounds of Romanticism«

This concert program features three masterpieces that impressively reflect the diversity of the Romantic era. The program opens with Carl Maria von Weber's Symphony No. 1, which combines both vitality and melodic beauty. Richard Strauss's symphonic poem "Don Juan" transports the audience into a passionate world of heroic myth. The concert concludes with Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 7, an emotionally intense work that impressively reflects the expressive power of the Romantic era. Sebastian Weigle, General Music Director of the Frankfurt Opera from 2008 to 2023, leads the Graz Philharmonic through this fascinating program.

4th Music Association Concert

A mixed ensemble of actors from the LebensGroß Theatre Academy and singers from Graz Opera embark on a fight for freedom and justice for all. The specially created adaptation of Ralph Benatzky’s revue operetta offers snappy sounds for gruelling battles and exciting emotions.

The Three Musketeers

Chamber Concert 7 »Of Bohemia and Bohème«

Four people going through the hell of their own emotions are at the centre of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s masterpiece Castor et Pollux. Choreographer and director Nanine Linning, already known to audiences in Graz as the director of the Giulietta act of The Tales of Hoffmann in the 2023/24 season, once again merges the intrinsic elements of dance and music theatre in the French baroque opera. Her artistic partner on this journey into the human abyss is Bernhard Forck, a specialist in early music.

Castor and Pollux

The exceptionally large brass ensemble (25 players!) in Leoš Janáček's Sinfonietta is just one of the special features of this concert. Perhaps this is why the five movements sound like film music and have been "sampled" in several television series and films—although not intended as such by the composer. The four-movement Les Eaux célestes (2023) by the French composer Camille Pépin also leaves a special aural impression with its open, enchanting form and colorful instrumentation. Under the direction of Ben Glassberg, the Graz Philharmonic will accompany pianist Ilya Shmukler, who was awarded first prize at the 2024 Concours Géza Anda, in Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1.

3rd Music Association Concert

The debut novel by Styrian Ingeborg Bachmann Prize winner Ferdinand Schmalz, set to music by Carinthian musician and composer Lukas Kranzelbinder, directed by Viennese Alexander Charim, and brought to life by singers from the Graz Opera and figureheads of the "New Viennese Song" such as Klemens Lendl ( Die Strottern ) and Wolfgang Vincenz Wizlsperger ( Kollegium Kalksburg ). An operetta series in five parts, each episode of which "eats" its way into the opera through different performance venues: Voilà, the operetta of the 21st century!

My favorite animal is called Winter/Episode 4

My favorite animal is called Winter/Episode 5

Cowboys, horse racing and the really big emotions! Emmerich Kálmán’s last operetta, premiered posthumously, brings all this and more to the stage of Graz Opera. Kálmán’s western operetta can be experienced for the first time in Austria in an exciting and emotional production.

Sunshine Ranch, Wild West: For Lona Farrell, ranch owner and horse breeder with Hungarian roots, work comes first. She takes a rather critical view of potential love adventures, although the world of men would love to fall at her feet. When the mysterious cowboy Roy Dexter takes over the vacant position of the overbearing foreman Jim Slaughter and the racehorse Arizona Lady seems to break new records under his care, Lona and Roy find it difficult to hide their romantic feelings for each other. A happy ending is already within reach, if it weren’t for Jim Slaughter and his new dubious boss McDumb ...

Arizona Lady

Chamber Concert 6 Opera Studio Concert »Paris, jour et nuit«

With Francis Poulenc's rarely performed Organ Concerto, Christian Schmitt brings us a virtuoso performance of the concert hall organ in the Graz Musikverein. In Camille Saint-Saëns's famous Organ Symphony , the organ later functions as an instrument almost equal to the orchestra. A new sonic discovery, however, is "Amor Fati ," an orchestral piece in which the contemporary Cretan composer Giorgos Koumendakis brings the music of his homeland to life without the use of traditional Greek instruments, for example, through rich ornamentation in the strings, thiaboli and mandora sounds, and rhythmic patterns of transcribed birdsong in the woodwinds.

2nd Music Association Concert

Alban Berg revolutionised the opera tradition in 1925 with a gripping story that combines drama, murder and social study. The folk opera stars Daniel Schmutzhard (Wozzeck) and Annette Dasch (Marie), together with chief conductor Vassilis Christopoulos on the podium of the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra, explore the expressive sound world of Berg’s masterpiece. After his successful Austrian debut in Graz with Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser and stints in Vienna and Salzburg, director Evgeny Titov returns to Graz Opera with one of the most important operas of the 20th century.

Wozzeck

The Divine Comedy, Divina Commedia, is the main work of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) and is considered the most important work of Italian literature and the basis for the modern Italian language. In it, Dante describes the stages of a journey through an otherworldly world. The Roman poet Virgil leads the author, who is also his own main character, through hell and purgatory. On their way, Dante and Virgil encounter the countless souls of the deceased, who tell of their respective fates. In paradise, Dante finally meets his childhood sweetheart Beatrice. In his reunion with her, the poet discovers the power of love and finds inner peace and tranquillity.

Choreographer Estefania Miranda uses the literary model for an “expansive” choreography. She asks about people’s greatest fears and desires and what might await our souls after death. She transfers the biblical deadly sins into a contemporary context. In the first part of the evening, we experience various choreographic installations on a journey of discovery through the opera house, which translate torments and sins into a contemporary dance language. In the second part of this sensual Gesamtkunstwerk, the audience follows Dante’s path to paradise from the auditorium as usual.

La Divina Comedia

Chamber Concert 5 »Viennese Music«

Soloists from the Graz Opera ensemble will celebrate the start of New Year 2026 with a generous helping of Italianità together with the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of their longstanding conductor Marius Burkert! Titles by Austrian composers such as Robert Stolz’s “Arrivederci bella Italia” or “Wo die Zitronen blühn” by Johann Strauss Sohn make the longing and wanderlust for the country in which “everything dissolves into peace and serenity” audible. One always remains clear, always equanimous, always objectively tuned”. 

"Beautiful Italy!"

Chamber Concert 4 »String Trio Profound«

“I want to experience something for once, not just bat my eyelashes” is the motto of the strong-willed, karate-wielding Snow White in Elena Kats-Chernin and Susanne Felicitas Wolf’s powerful version. Supported by the life-size rabbit Richard III and 77 dwarves from the Graz Opera singing school, Snow White succeeds in taking her life into her own hands and escaping persecution by her deceitful stepmother. Lovingly encouraging fun for the whole family with a fast-paced musical mix of classical, musical and pop, cartoon film music and pop songs.

Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs

Chamber Concert 3 »Women's Love«

Italian Brian Scalini, Australian Jack Traylen and Etay Axelroad from Israel take on the exciting challenge of discovering dance from a new perspective and presenting an evening together in mutual inspiration. The three young choreographers approach dance in very different ways. Each of them has a unique choreographic signature and bold ideas. They show “pure dance”, close to the audience: sensual, provocative, powerful and surprising.

Ring

2. Philharmonic Evening

Graz Congress

Giuseppe Verdi sends his protagonist Rigoletto on an emotional rollercoaster ride between feigned hilarity, honest paternal love and human abysses. Director Ute M. Engelhardt takes a look behind the facade of the joker and into the maw of the brutalised society in which the title hero finds himself. On the podium: chief conductor Vassilis Christopoulos, who once again devotes himself to a Verdi opera after his gripping interpretation of Macbeth.

Rigoletto

In fitting fashion, the orchestral concert series at the Graz Music Association begins with a world premiere of Marcus Nigsch's Festmusik (Festive Music). Not only are the Graz Philharmonic celebrating an anniversary this year, but the wonderful Stefaniensaal in the Graz Music Association is also celebrating its 140th anniversary! A perfect match between hall and orchestra, which once again ensures special listening moments in this concert. Lise de la Salle's interpretation of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 is followed by Richard Strauss's symphonic poem " Ein Heldenleben" (A Hero's Life) , with which Vassilis Christopoulos provides a counterpoint to the musical story of the anti-hero Till Eulenspiegel in this year's opening concert of the Graz Opera.

1st Music Association Concert

In On the Town, three sailors are on shore leave in search of the sights of the city and a charming city dweller to accompany them. Not exactly an easy goal to achieve under time pressure ... Leonard Bernstein’s first musical, staged by musical professional Felix Seiler, offers not only catchy hits, but also humorously drawn characters to fall in love with – and plenty of fun and verve!

On the Town

Chamber Concert 2 »Four plus Four and Piano«

The end of the war, the return home and a fateful oath including human sacrifice. In his opera, which premiered in 1781, the 24-year-old Mozart explores the troubled soul of the war-wounded Cretan king Idomeneo in a tragic conflict of responsibility between raison d’état and private interests with dramatic intensity and new, exciting orchestral colours. In his production, director Philipp Westerbarkei examines the relationship between war and humanity.

Idomeneo

Whether singing, dancing, or instrumental music – you can expect a diverse program in an intimate setting, performed by ensemble members, dancers from the Graz Ballet, members of the Graz Philharmonic, and guests. Admission is free!

Espresso concert

»Graz is Wöd« – an evening full of music, humor and diversity

What does Graz sound like beyond its major cultural institutions? What kind of music resonates – sometimes still undiscovered – in Styrian living rooms, pubs or community halls? Music producer Jochen Kühling set out to find out, and discovered it in cellars, former factory spaces, quiet courtyards and charming halls. Along the way, he met musicians who cultivate their art with passion and quality – from the Latin American güiro to the Styrian harmonica.

Oper Graz

Jun 27, 2026

»Freedom! 250 Jahre Declaration of Independence«

11 - 24 Jun, 2026

Hoffmann's Tales (The Tales of Hoffmann)

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