48,000 Celebrated the Opening of the Vienna Festival Weeks at Rathausplatz
A genre-defying program was promised for the event at Rathausplatz. Indeed, there was musical diversity with political (under)tones. A highlight was the collaboration of Laurie Anderson with tenor Serge Kakudji. "What we defend is the plurality of the living against unity," summarized Burg actress Safira Robens.
When a trumpeter from the Burgtheater intoned the intro to "Stand up, stand up," a song by Fuzzman, whose alter ego Herwig Zamernik was responsible for the musical direction of the festival, around 48,000 people had gathered according to organizers. While the proclamation of a "Free Republic of Vienna" was staged with a storming of the town hall last year, this time it started with a march instead of an occupation: The members of the Jauntaler Trachtenkapelle marched through the audience playing music, flag bearers from various nations gathered to the singing of Congolese countertenor Kakudji on stage.
Opening of the Vienna Festival Weeks at Rathausplatz: Love as an Answer to Hate
The world has become less free over the past year, emphasized director Milo Rau. He referred to the political situation in Slovakia and the USA as well as the fighting in Ukraine and the Middle East. "And in Austria itself, a right-wing party won the national council election. Their election program was titled: Fortress Austria," Rau continued. "Our answer to exclusion is solidarity, our answer to hate is love. Our answer to Fortress Austria is the Republic of Love."
Vienna is a "bulwark in this time," "an open-minded city," said City Councillor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ). The "Republic of Love" is about "the counter-program to hate, about listening to each other." They want to "understand other political positions" and "come together for a common action." Thus, the motto was "V is for LoVe," eccentrically presented by members of the Caravan of Luv dressed in colorful hippie-shaman outfits.
Musically, there was indeed a stylistically exciting and diverse offering, whether shouted out, quietly presented, traditional, classical, or modern - it all came together in a quite coherent overall production. The beginning was made by Anja Plaschg alias Soap & Skin with a charming version of "Mystery Of Love" (Sufjan Stevens) on the piano and with orchestral accompaniment.
Fusion of Pop, Classical, and Avant-garde
A world premiere was the fusion of classical music, pop, and avant-garde by Anderson and Kakudji. It began with the aria "Oh Souvereign" from Le Cid - Dennis Russel Davies accompanied the tenor on the piano -, seamlessly transitioning into Anderson's world hit "Oh Superman," which the US performance artist initially performed alone at the keyboard, until the Trachtenkapelle and the Mozart Choir joined in, adding an organic note to the electronic track. For the grand finale of the approximately ten-minute song, Kakudji contributed the vocals.
Intense yet contemplative were the contributions of the Swiss singer-songwriter Faber, who called for a moment of silence for the victims of conflicts worldwide - and received it. In his song "Kinder," a children's choir took over the last verses: "Straight, honest people would be a nice goal, we already have too many spineless people" was pure emotion coming from the mouths of the young people. The local songwriter Nino from Vienna sang about the "Wild Time," supported by the traditional costume band. That too had verve, the line "the wise remain silent, the foolish shout" is something some could take to heart.
Conchita Wurst: "Cuddle with Each Other"
Tom Neuwirth alias Conchita Wurst reported via video from the Song Contest in Basel: "Love each other. Dance with each other. Cuddle with each other as much as possible. And never forget: We will not let anyone take our democracy from us." "Papillon," an ode to freedom by Nicole, the 1982 ESC winner, fit perfectly. Her winning song "A Little Peace" was not to be missed, towards the end with support from the choir, but also from the audience: Nicole's call "let us raise our voices together against violence and war" was at least followed on this evening.
Loudness is allowed and necessary: Sodl rocked with "I Am A Woman" and earlier with "Father's Tears." "I wrote this song when several men wouldn't leave me alone. And I would suggest that men cry a bit more and not release their feelings in violence and assault," announced the rising star for the latter song. A considerably harder edge was brought by the punk band "Bicycle Terror," appreciated by the audience just as much as the performance of the oud player Khalid Rawi from Mosul, who presented a piece composed of songs from all over Iraq.
Goosebumps with Soap & Skin
At the end, Soap & Skin initially provided a goosebump-inducing experience with their poignant interpretation of "The End" by the Doors. Then Fuzzman, along with all the performers, once again intoned the anthem introduced at the beginning: "Stand up, stand up, you bands and choirs, stand up, stand up, as long as you can, let our voices resound like one throat, long live the free republic!" It was an evening primarily focused on general messages against fascism, nationalism, hate, and war, and - with a few exceptions - refrained from pointing fingers.
(By Wolfgang Hauptmann/APA)
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.