Smoke alarm at Carmen: Opera evening in Vienna becomes an adventure!

Smoke alarm at Carmen: Opera evening in Vienna becomes an adventure!

On the evening of June 3, 2025, there was a worrying Situation during the presentation of "Carmen" in the Vienna State Opera. An unexpected smoking event that could escape from one of the cars placed on stage led to the triggering of the fire alarm, which forced the visitors to leave the opera in an orderly manner. Fortunately, the idea of ​​an interruption that was made possible by extensive ventilation could be continued. This reports the Krone .

"Carmen", the work composed by Georges Bizet, tells the dramatic story of Carmen, who is in love with José. In the scene in question, which was originally worth performing, her friend Frasquita joins a group while Carmen insists on staying with José. José, who was in prison for two months due to Carmen's escape, sees her again for the first time that evening. The situation escalates when the signal sounds to the tap prank, which Carmen puts in rage. José, who wants to break up, is challenged by Leutnant Zuniga - who also has an eye on Carmen - which leads to a conflict between the two men. Finally, José ignores the tapping signal, attacks Vereiga and decides to live with the smuggler gang, which continues to develop the dramatic course of the piece. Details can be read on the website of the Vienna State Opera

security measures and their relevance

The incidents at the Vienna State Opera lead a light on the importance of security precautions at events. According to the DGUV Information 215-310 There is essential regulations for security at events, which serves as a guide for the implementation and organization. It is therefore recommended to strictly follow the applicable regulations and technical rules to ensure the security of everyone involved.

The current new version of these security guidelines was published in May 2025 and takes into account the latest security technology standards. Changes to the last issue from 2016 include the inclusion of a new section on violence prevention and specific information on film and external productions. This information is particularly relevant for the many actors involved in the implementation of such events.