Die Zauberflöte

In 1791, the year of his death, the heavily indebted Mozart, together with his friend Schikaneder, completed the story of two lovers who find each other in the midst of a battle between dark forces, thus evoking the utopia of a realm of reason and humanity, in which even colorful birds have their place. The Magic Flute, which is now on the program of almost every major opera house in the world, premiered in a Viennese suburban theater. 232 years later, a traveling theater troupe brings its very own version of the opera to the stage. The “Kratky-Baschik Magic Theater“ is bankrupt and desperately needs the perfect entertainment show. To achieve this, the troupe will use any means necessary: the sacred composition is rearranged, Mozart's motifs are transformed into songs in a wide variety of styles, and the rewritten libretto is shared by only six actors, each of whom must take on several roles. In a lost world of vaudeville, variety shows and the dark Prater street theatre, perhaps the most daring reinterpretation of perhaps the most famous opera in the world is created.

Actor and musician Nils Strunk, along with author Lukas Schrenk, a three-person band, and the ensemble, creates a delightful musical reflection on the magic of the stage and the power of togetherness. Mozart and Schikaneder would have turned in their graves.

duration: 2 hours - no intermission

program

Die Zauberflöte
THE OPERA BUT NOT THE OPERA
von Nils Strunk und Lukas Schrenk nach Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart und Emanuel Schikaneder

Place

Wiener Burgtheater – The Stage of Great Drama and Timeless Classics

The Wiener Burgtheater, often referred to as Austria’s "first stage," is one of the most prestigious and influential German-speaking theaters in Europe. Founded in 1741, it has shaped the theatrical landscape for centuries, standing for artistic excellence, literary classics, and contemporary productions.

Located on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a place where great playwrights such as Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Arthur Schnitzler, Thomas Bernhard, and Elfriede Jelinek come to life through groundbreaking performances. With its renowned ensemble and innovative direction, the theater masterfully combines tradition with modernity, captivating thousands of theatergoers every year.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U2 – Rathaus station (approx. 5-minute walk)

• Lines 1, D, 71 – Rathausplatz/Burgtheater stop
• Lines 2, 46 – Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring stop

• Line 13A – Theater in der Josefstadt stop (approx. 10-minute walk)