Volksoper 2025/26: A lot of bother, new productions and colorful variety!

Volksoper 2025/26: A lot of bother, new productions and colorful variety!

In the upcoming 2025/26 season, the Volksoper Vienna will put Johann Strauss' works in the spotlight. Instrendant de Beer emphasizes the importance of risky productions in her contract. Together with music director Ben Glassberg, the Volksoper plans a varied program. One of the highlights is the staging of "Night in Venice" by Nina Spijkers in October, while in November the premiere of "Aschenbrödel's dream" is due. This reinterpretation of the ballet fragment is responsible for Martina Eisenreich and combines various music styles such as percussion, singing saws as well as pop and hip-hop.

The season start will take place on September 4, 2025 with a "bat" sing-along. Particularly noteworthy is the "bat - Pride Edition", which is planned in June 2026 and deals with socio -political issues. Ben Glassberg focuses on the works of Strauss and the variety of programs is expanded by staging such as "Der Zarewitsch" in April 2026 and Gilbert & Sullivan’s "The Pirates of Penzance" in March 2026.

statistics and economy

Managing Director Christoph Ladstätter said that the Volksoper acts as an important identity factor for society. The number of subscribers has increased by 16 percent, and the utilization is 87 percent. Last season, the income was exceeded, which leads to the planned increase in card prices by 7 percent. It is also interesting that 24 percent of the audience is under 30, which indicates a stable number of younger visitors.

variety in the music theater

at a time when diversity and inclusion in art and culture is becoming increasingly important, the Volksoper engagement also shows. This concept is not only implemented in the performances. A project for music theater lessons at elementary schools enables children to participate in a choir. In addition, a staging of the "Matilda" musical in cooperation with schools is planned.

The diversity discourse extends over different cultural scenes. Alexander Neef, General Director of the Paris Opera, also plans to diversify his house. A detailed report on diversity at the Paris Opera addresses the underrepresentation of BIPOC and the need to reduce colonial practices. The report calls for measures to promote bipoc artists and an institutional anchorage of diversity strategies.

These developments in the art and cultural sector are characterized by a fundamental change towards a more diverse and more inclusive cultural landscape. Constance Rivière's report on the Paris Opera is a guide for other houses that want to accept and implement similar challenges. However, a sustainable implementation of diversity strategies in culture is associated with challenges that require both resources and a cultural change.