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
- Stage direction
- Theu Boermans
- Set design
- Bernhard Hammer
- Costume design
- Jorine van Beek
- Choreography
- Florian Hurler
- Lighting design
- Alex Brok
- Video
- Arjen Klerkx
- Sounddesign
- Martin Lukesch
- Musical direction
- Keren Kagarlitsky
- Alexander Kowalewski, Intendant
- Marco Di Sapia
- Ossip Rosental, Souffleur
- Andreas Patton
- Hugo Wiener, Autor
- Florian Carove
- Fritz Löhner-Beda, Librettist
- Carsten Süss
- Kurt Herbert Adler, Dirigent
- Lukas Watzl
- Kurt Hesky, Regisseur
- Jakob Semotan
- Leo Asch, Bühne und Kostüm
- Szymon Komasa
- Bühnenmeister
- Gerhard Ernst
- Hulda Gerin (Miss Violet)
- Johanna Arrouas
- Viktor Flemming (Graf Uli von Kürenberg)
- Ben Connor
- Fritz Imhoff (Püringer)
- Karl-Michael Ebner
- Trudl Möllnitz (Franzi)
- Theresa Dax
- Olga Zelenka (Resi)
- Rebecca Soumagné
- Kathy Treumann (Anni)
- Julia Koci
- Walter Schödel (Werkmeister)
- Nicolaus Hagg
- Frida Hechy (Witwe Aloisia Bründl)
- Ulrike Steinsky
- Emil Kraus (Otto Binder)
- Sebastian Reinthaller
- Franz Hammer (Pepi Marisch, Briefträger)
- Oliver Liebl
- Kurt Breuel (Graf Ulrich von Kürenberg)
- Kurt Schreibmayer
- Johanna Kreuzberger (Amalasvintha von Kürenberg) / Mutter Wiener
- Regula Rosin
- Horst Jodl
- Robert Bartneck
- Fritz Köchl
- Axel Herrig
- Hans Frauendienst (Wirt Glöckerl)
- Thomas Sigwald
- Ensemble
- Anja Štruc
- Ensemble
- Jennifer Pöll
- Ensemble
- Teresa Jentsch
- Ensemble
- Anetta Szabo
- Ensemble
- Josefine Tyler
- Ensemble
- Victoria Demuth
- Ensemble
- Kilian Berger
- Ensemble
- James Park
- Ensemble
- Michael Postmann
- Ensemble
- Michael Konicek
- Ensemble
- Thomas Höfner
- Ensemble
- Oliver Floris
- Text/Libretto
- Theu Boermans
Photos and Videos
For all those who use a screen reader, a description of the visual aspects of the performance (set design, costumes...) follows here instead of the photo gallery.
The play is set in 1938. There are three levels in the stage design: the operetta "Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau", which is rehearsed in the play, is shown through beautifully hand-painted brochures and curtains based on historical designs and classic operetta costumes. The world of the artists at the Volksoper in 1938 during rehearsals is represented by historical suits, a director's table and projections of historical, contemporary footage. The artists' private rooms, in turn, are located on the revolving stage. Small platforms at different heights represent the artists' apartments. The revolving stage moves and shows the rooms alternately. The stage is dark and gloomy. The operetta scenes, however, are colorful and opulent, creating a strong visual contrast.
.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")
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.jpeg "© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
Articles from our Weborello
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 "Jakob Semotan (Kurt Hesky), Lukas Watzl (Kurt Herbert Adler), Marco Di Sapia (Alexander Kowalewski), Andreas Patton (Ossip Rosental), Szymon Komasa (Leo Asch), Florian Carove (Hugo Wiener), Ensemble - © Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
„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 "Ensemble - © Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien")
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.
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?
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