Honorary membership for Bertrand de Billy: High honor from the State Opera!

Honorary membership for Bertrand de Billy: High honor from the State Opera!

Bertrand de Billy, the iconic conductor and musical personality, was today made an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera. This award is the highest that the State Opera has to give to honor outstanding artists who have a special connection to the house. State Opera Director Bogdan Rošcic emphasized in his laudatory speech that de Billy has played a formative role at the State Opera for almost 30 years. At the ceremonial presentation of the certificate by Christian Kircher, managing director of the Bundestheater-Holding, de Billy also received a ring of honor to recognize his achievements. The conductor was touched and said: “A comparable house, comparable employees in all areas – that only exists here,” and announced his return with “Werther” in the coming season, as the Vienna State Opera reported on its website.

A look at the plot of “Billy Budd”

In parallel with this celebratory recognition, the State Opera will soon present a new production of “Billy Budd”, an opera that focuses on the life and fate of the young sailor Billy. This exciting story, in which Billy is manipulated by other faceless characters, illuminates deep human conflicts. The newcomer, a frightened character, is exploited by Claggart, the antagonist, to lure Billy into a trap. This dark manga plot revolving around power and seduction is enhanced by Benjamin Britten's emotive music, offering music lovers an exciting touch of drama. With the performance of “Billy Budd”, the Vienna State Opera has the chance to reinterpret this timeless story and to once again present to the audience what the opera has to offer in terms of expressiveness and human depth.