Prominent start: Wagner's The Flying Dutchman inspires in the quarry!

Prominent start: Wagner's The Flying Dutchman inspires in the quarry!

St. Margarethen, Österreich - On July 9, 2025, the opera in the St. Margarethen quarry experienced the highly expected premiere of Richard Wagner's famous opera "The Flying Dutchman". Under the direction of director Daniel Serafin and production by Philipp M. Krenner, the production that runs until August 23, 2025 promises not only musical delights, but also visual masterpieces.

"The flying Dutchman" is considered Wagner's shortest opera and takes about two and a half hours. The stage design, designed by Momme, is impressed by a sophisticated transformation of the natural rocky backdrop into an impressive sea landscape with a lighthouse. Immense resources were necessary for the backdrop; 6,500 square meters of wooden panels, 500,000 screws, six kilometers seasons and six tons of plaster and color were used. Over 6,500 hours of robot and computer-controlled machine work flowed into the production of the set.

prominent guests and creative highlights

The premiere attracted a top -class crowd, including well -known personalities such as Hans Peter Doskozil, Alexander Schallenberg, Katharina and Karl Nehammer and Martin Kocher. Patrick Lange, a well-known opera conductor who has achieved international recognition for his interpretations of Wagner works, including "The Meistersinger von Nuremberg" and "Rusalka" was musically managed. Long has already conducted in renowned places such as the Vienna State Opera and the Semperoper Dresden in his career.

The staging was also enriched by innovative elements. Live Action Director Ran Arthur Braun integrated spectacular stunts and impressive video projections of water and fire that captivated the audience. A remarkable visual highlight was the versatile Dalands house, which impressed with live camera projections on the rock walls.

talent of the ensemble

Talented singers slip in the main roles of the opera. Senta is embodied by the singers Elisabeth Teige, Johanni van Oostrum and Johanna. Teige had previously sung at the Norwegian National Opera and the Bayreuth Festival. The tenors AJ Glueckert, Dominik Chenes and Nenad Čiča are available for the part of the hunter Erik, whereby Glueckert is known for his performance at New York Met.

In the role -playing game of the helmsman, Jinxu Xiaohu and Brian Michael Moore shine, while Roxana Constantinescu can be heard as Mary. Liang Li and Jens-Erik Aasbø complement the list of actors as Daland, while the Baritone George Gagnidze, James Rutherford and Tommi Hakkala embody the Dutch. Gagnidze is one of the leading baritons and already appeared in important opera houses such as the Berlin State Opera.

The Piedra Festival Orchestra acts as a residence orchestra and will perform the best musical elements of the performance, including the song of the Senta and the choir of sailors. The Philharmonia Chor Vienna, under the direction of Walter Zeh, ensures an impressive sound body that brings out the dramatic force of Wagner's music.

Richard Wagner, who was born on May 22, 1813 and died in Venice in 1883, is known for his efforts, music, theater and visual art to merge a total work of art. Wagner's works, including "The Flying Dutch", are still very popular and influence numerous productions worldwide. This production in the quarry is another example of the ongoing fascination and the influence of Wagner on the opera landscape.

For those who want to experience the magic of this staging themselves, the performances are planned until August 25, 2025. Conspiratory music and impressive stage sets make a visit to the compulsory event for opera fans and those interested in culture.