Operetta in Bad Ischl

Lehár Festival: Rarities fresh, cheeky and frivolous

Bad Ischl is a cradle of operetta and therefore the best place for the Lehár Festival. This year marks the 64th edition of the festival in the imperial city, with three premieres between July 6 and August 25. And: there will be a shuttle service for the first time.

"I see the Lehár Festival as an anchorage for a time of pause, for gathering strength and emotions - in this entire spectrum," says Artistic Director Thomas Enzinger about the 64th edition of the annual music highlight in the Salzkammergut. Entertainment, good humor, but also high standards are combined here to create stage art.

The revue operetta "Märchen im Grand Hotel" (premiere on July 6) by composer Paul Abraham in a specially arranged version is the opening act. Jazz and classical operetta are combined with dance, humor and emotion in a fast-paced way. The story takes place in an elegant hotel on the French Riviera and is about a bankrupt American film producer. 

With impressive dance scenes
Intendant Thomas Enzinger is directing the production, while choreographer Evamaria Mayer promises "a luxury edition" with a full chorus, a huge dance ensemble and "big dance scenes on stage" including fashion dances from the 1930s.

Operetta world hit also premieres
Another main production is the great classic "Der Bettelstudent" by Carl Millöcker (premiere July 13), an absolute world hit in operetta history. The production is in the hands of Angela Schweiger.

One focus of the main annual program is dedicated to the great librettist Fritz Löhner-Beda. In addition to the opening piece, Lehár's forgotten operetta "Der Sterngucker" (premiere August 9) was also penned by him: four young ladies of high society seek happiness in love.

Short operettas from the competition
The exhibition "Immer nur lächeln", which documents the stages of Löhner-Beda's life, will also be presented in the foyer. And: together with the Capital of Culture, the "Short Operettas" competition was created, with three 20-minute works from 24 submissions being shown.

For the first time this year, there will be an operetta shuttle from communities (including Ohlsdorf, Laakirchen and Ebensee) in the Salzkammergut to Ischl.