'Volksoper' is a major opera house, second only to Vienna
State Opera. Various 18th, 19th and 20th century operas
are staged as well as light operas, musicals and dance events.
Initially, the 'Volksoper' was built as a conventional theater
stage. In 1903 Weber's 'Preciosa' was the first opera to be
staged there. From then on the focus shifted from dramatic
theatre to the music based art forms of opera and operetta.
Puccini's 'Tosca' and Richard Strauss' 'Salome' had their
Austrian premiers at the Volksoper.
Today, Franz Léhars 'Der Bettelstudent', Johann
Strauß' 'Die lustige Witwe' (The Merry Widow), 'Die
Fledermaus' or 'Wiener Blut' are popular productions. Puccini's
'La Boheme', Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte' (The Magic Flute)
or 'Hänsel und Gretel' by Humperdinck are part of the
repertoire, too. 'Carmen', 'West Side Story' or 'Der Nussknacker'
add exitement to the Volksoper's programme.
Since 1999, Volksoper
is home to a contemporary dance ensemble. One of the highlights
was a modern interpretation of Tschaikowsky's 'Schwanensee'.
The original music was remixed by popular Viennese musicians
Pulsinger & Tunakan. By this, the Volksoper opened up
to a younger audience.
