Pre-Opening Event before Vienna Danube Island Festival 2025

Opera sounds at the Danube Island Festival are more in the category of exotic. But this time, before the actual start of the open-air festival, which takes place from June 20 to 22, a modern version of Georges Bizet's classic "Carmen" under the title "Killing Carmen - an opera-musical throwback" will be shown, as the organizers announced in a press release on Friday. For the pre-opening event on June 19 on the rock stage, they are cooperating with the Volksoper.

Pre-Opening Event with "Carmen" Version

A "captivating musical performance" is announced, incorporating different music styles from jazz to flamenco, western, musical, pop, and chanson, "which retells the tragic story of Carmen in a fascinating way and from today's perspective." In the title role is the French mezzo-soprano Katia Ledoux, who has been engaged at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the De Nationale Opera Amsterdam, and the Graz Opera, among others.

The free admission performance on the Danube Island is also a preview of the reinterpretation of the world-famous opera, which will be shown in full length from October 1 under the artistic direction of Nils Strunk, Lukas Schrenk, and Gabriel Cazes at the Vienna Volksoper. "For years, I have dreamed of 'Volksoper at the Danube Island Festival,'" director Lotte de Beer was quoted as saying. It is important for her house "to step out of our classical setting, reach new audiences, and show the general public how breathtaking opera can be."

Barbara Novak, state party secretary of the Vienna SPÖ, which organizes the huge spectacle annually, emphasized that the Volksoper "offers an unforgettable entry into the festival weekend with a socially highly relevant theme." "Killing Carmen - an opera musical throwback" addresses femicides and violence against women from today's societal perspective.

Democracy in Focus at Vienna Danube Island Festival

After the pre-opening, more than 600 hours of programming on 16 stages are scheduled over the three festival days under the motto "Your Island. Real Moments." In addition to music, entertainment, and cuisine, democracy is also a focus this year, as Austria celebrates 80 years of the Republic, 70 years of the State Treaty, and 30 years of EU membership.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.