Today : world première of 'Die Schattenkaiserin' by Oliver Ostermann in Innsbruck

Today, the Tiroler Landestheater in Innsbruck presents the world première of Die Schattenkaiserin, a musical composed by Oliver Ostermann with a libretto by Susanne Felicitas Wolf based on motives by Bernhard Aichner.

Oliver Ostermann has composed several works for the stage, including musicals and children operas.

Bianca Maria Sforza is a young woman full of hopes and longings in the marriage mediated by her rich uncle. But her designated husband Maximilian, whose heart is still attached to the late Maria of Burgundy, can not develop any affection for her. Her childlike behavior and her attachment remain alien to him and hinder him in his desire for freedom. Neglected by the emperor, Bianca died childless in 1510, sick and lonely in Innsbruck. (freely adapted from the Tiroler Landestheater website)

The cast includes Jil Cleese (Bianca Maria Sforza), Reinwald Kranner (Maximilian I), tenor Dale Albright (Ludovico Sforza), tenor Florian Stern (Ersamus von Brascha), soprano Susanne von der Burg (Hofnärrin Ursula) and soprano Andreja Zidaric (Violanta). Hansjörg Sofka conducts the Chor and Extrachor des Tiroler Landestheaters and the Tiroler Symphonieorchester Innsbruck. Johannes Reitmeier directs.

Today : world première of 'Drachenherz' by Wolfgang Böhmer in Chemnitz

Today, the Theater Chemnitz presents the world première of Drachenherz (Dragonheart), a musical for children composed by Wolfgang Böhmer, with a book by Peter Lund.

Böhmer has already composed several works for the stage including Sommer Nacht Traum (Magic operetta, Berlin, 2000), Jedermann (Rock opera, Erfurt, 2014) and Der Zauberer von Oz (Musical, Wiesbaden, 2016).

Günni’s clique is really cool. At least Günni thinks so. Otherwise, there isn’t a whole lot that’s cool in the small city in the middle of Germany where so many people are out of work and most of the parents sit apathetically in front of the television. Then Fred shows up. Fred is different : he has ideas and a brain in his head. Fred makes everything more fun. Fred soon becomes Günni’s right-hand man in the clique. Hannes is seeing red. Hannes had always been Günni’s right-hand man. And if anyone has the right to flirt with Günni’s sister Jenny, then it is definitely him ! To sum things up : Fred has seriously offended Hannes’ honor. [...] What you do, how you fight and, most of all, for whom – these are the biggest questions that every young person poses to society, whose answers generally come across as lacking. It wasn't any different for the Nibelung. There, everyone knew what they were fighting for. In the worst case, for themselves. Siegfried had to die because there was no room for true heroes back then. Is there room for them today ? Or do the good people still have to die because the cruel simply cannot bear being so small of spirit ? (reproduced from the Neuköllner Oper website)

The cast includes Florian Heinke (Günni), Johannes Krimmel (Hannes), Florentine Beyer (Brüning), Timo Stacey (Tropi), Nicola Kripylo (Jenny), Tristan Giovanoli (Nasir), and Denis Riffel (Fred). Hans-Peter Kirchberg conducts the Drachenherz-Band. Peter Lund, Neva Howard and Mathias Noack are in charge of the direction and the choreography.

The performance should last 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one interval.

The musical will also be performed in Berlin (Neuköllner Oper), starting June 13, 2019.

Today : world première of Gisle Kverndokk's 'Around the World in 80 Days' in Linz

Today, the Landestheater Linz presents the world première of the new musical version of Gisle Kverndokk's Around the World in Eighty Days, with a libretto by Øystein Wiik, based on Jules Verne's novel.

The first version was created in May 2010 in Oslo. Kverndokk has composed several works for the stage, including Den fjerde nattevakt (The Fourth Watch of the Night), first performed in Oslo in 2005.

In a wager with Stuart at his London Club, Phileas Fogg claims that he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days! He goes on the journey with his servant Passepartout, closely followed by detective Fionula Fix who was hired by Stuart. Fogg's agenda is in danger: In Paris, he happens upon a Glawari festival, in Rome, Tosca falls into his arms, in Beijing, Turandot wants to have him beheaded! The fact that Fogg is triumphant in the end, is as miraculous as if it were grand opera… (reproduced from the Landestheater Linz website)

The cast includes Alen Hodzovic (Phileas Fogg), Rob Pelzer (Passepartout) and Daniela Dett (Fionula Fix). Either Stefan Diederich or Borys Sitarski conducts the Bruckner Orchester Linz and the Landestheater Linz Chorus. Matthias Davids directs. The performance should last about 2 hours and 30 minutes.