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23 July – 31 August

Mozart and the 21st century: in the Mozart Year, Peter Ruzicka scheduled all 22 Mozart operas – and as a counterpoint exclusively music of the 21st century. As many as 16 commissioned works were performed for the first time, including Chaya Czernowin’s Zaide/Adama.

The Israeli composer confronted Mozart’s opera fragment Zaide with her own musical language and a contemporary perspective. Claus Guth staged the interplay of contrasting sounds, while the music was directed by Ivor Bolton and Johannes Kalitzke.

Claus Guth also took charge of the opening of the House for Mozart with Le nozze di Figaro in the stage set devised by Christian Schmidt. Nikolaus Harnoncourt led the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the prominent cast (Bo Skovhus, Dorothea Röschmann, Anna Netrebko, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo), with Christine Schäfer (Cherubino) stealing the show. Martin Kušej’s acclaimed production of Don Giovanni from 2002 was performed again, this time with Christine Schäfer as Donna Anna. Moreover, he devoted himself as head of drama to comedy and stirred up a furore with Nestroy’s Höllenangst/Fear of Hell.