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.
Cast
- Regie, Text & Libretto
- Theu Boermans
- Set design
- Bernhard Hammer
- Costume design
- Jorine van Beek
- Choreography
- Florian Hurler
- Lighting design
- Alex Brok
- Video
- Arjen Klerkx
- Sounddesign
- Martin Lukesch
- Historische Beratung
- Marie-Theres Arnbom
Photos and Videos
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
Articles from our Weborello
What would you do?
On the occasion of the world premiere of Lass uns die Welt vergessen - Volksoper 1938, we have initiated a project that raises the question of one's very personal stance: What would you do?
5 reasons: Lass uns die Welt vergessen - Volksoper 1938
On 14 December 2023, Lass uns die Welt vergessen – Volksoper 1938 celebrates its premiere. Are you considering attending the performance? Here we have collected 5 reasons why it is important for us to show you this production.
„An hour of glory“: Press Reviews for „Lass uns die Welt vergessen“
"Standing Ovations," "Dignified," "An Hour of Stars": The press reviews are impressed by our premiere of Lass uns die Welt vergessen – Volksoper 1938 (Let's Forget the World – Volksoper 1938).
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
Nestroy-Prize nomination for „Lass uns die Welt vergessen“
We are delighted that Lass uns die Welt vergessen - Volksoper 1938 (Let's Forget the World - Volksoper 1938) has been nominated in the “Special Prize” category of the prestigious Austrian theater award NESTROY Prize 2024. The award ceremony will take place on November 24.
.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
Press comments
Yet the Volksoper does what theater does best, precisely theater, and presents an overflowing, superabundant, extremely ambitious, and ultimately profoundly moving evening about its own history.
Süddeutsche Zeitung
15. December 2023
In the end, there were standing ovations and prolonged applause, marked by deep emotion for a journey into the past.
Kurier
15. December 2023
It is a dignified, indeed in the best sense decent remembrance, for which there were minutes-long standing ovations in the end.
APA
15. December 2023
There were standing ovations. The play should remain in the program throughout the entire Schoenberg Year 2024, the year of a displaced person.
Der Standard
16. December 2023
For the anniversary season, the Vienna Volksoper commissioned a backstage play that explores its own history (...). With a touching resonance.
BR Klassik
15. December 2023
Nevertheless, in 2023, the Volksoper boasts an ensemble that is astonishing, especially in all female roles, and the acting cast for the members of the artistic team is superb.
Süddeutsche Zeitung
15. December 2023
The highly motivated ensemble, with its many intricate role assignments, can only be collectively appreciated. The audience rightfully thanked them with standing ovations.
Kleine Zeitung
15. December 2023
What is particularly touching, however, is the composition of Israeli conductor Keren Kargalitsky.
BR Klassik
15. December 2023
With the Volksoper Orchestra, every style is profoundly executed; even at the end, when the cheerfulness becomes eerie (...).
Der Standard
16. December 2023
The audience was touched by Kagarlitsky's performance and Boermans' narrative. There was much applause for today's ensemble, which brought the artistic Volksoper team of 1938 back to life once again.
Deutschlandfunk
15. December 2023