DRESDEN STATE OPERETTA
The Dresden State Operetta is one of the few light musical theatres in Europe.
The theatre is unique for cultivating the legacy of Johann Strauss - apart from Vienna Blood, two virtually forgotten works by the Waltz King can be found in its repertoire: the melody-rich Roman Carneval, an extraordinary success now entering its third season at the State Operetta, and as of April 2007 The Queens Lace Handkerchief. The latter, about the Spanish poet Miguel Cervantes, is a gem among the composers works, with melodious romances and saucy couplets.
The State Operettas varied programme of operettas, light operas and musicals focuses on classics such as The Beggar Student, The Csárdás Princess and The Land of Smiles, but also The Magic Flute (opening 25 April 2008), the swing musical Anything Goes and the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
Looking Back at a Successful Season
Five operetta premieres and a world premiere on the musical comedy stage: these are the achievements of the 2006-2007 season at the Dresden State Operetta.
The season began with the family musical Emil and the Detectives, followed by The Beggar Student under the direction of Michael Quast and with Rainer König in the role of Enterich. Bluebeard − The Zwinger Trio Investigates was a particular hit, with repeat sold-out performances.
An unusual project was the world premiere of the Cole Porter revue Kiss Me, Cole!, specially written for the State Operetta. In addition to its regular schedule of performances, the ensemble also made its premiere at the Dresden Comedy Theatre, a modern venue in the city center, for the first time playing en suite. With the rediscovery of the Johann Strauss operetta The Queens Lace Handkerchief, the programme now includes Strausss second unknown work, alongside The Roman Carneval. The season closed with the acclaimed premiere of Candide, produced by Winfried Schneider and with renowned author and cabaret artist Peter Ensikat starring as Voltaire.
A Packed House
Wrapping up a successful season, the State Operetta has yet again recorded an enormous increase in attendance. With 88.86% of seating capacity filled, the theatre has registered a 4.6% increase in attendance compared to the 2005-2006 season. Around 9,200 more people attended performances at the State Operetta. The hits of the season, apart from Bluebeard − The Zwinger Trio Investigates (with 99.66% capacity), were My Fair Lady (99.14%), Jesus Christ Superstar (98.87%) and The Beggar Student (97.21%).
Wolfgang Schaller, now at the end of his fourth season with the State Operetta, sums things up as follows: These are the best attendance figures in the last seven years. They make my calculations for a new theatre building feasible and confirm the notion that double the revenue can be generated in the centre of town.
Variety in 2007-2008 as well
The State Operettas new season will start off at full speed when on 7 September the curtain is drawn for the first performance, which is also the seasons first permiere: Boccaccio. The programme for the coming season contains five new productions, once again reflecting the versatile theatres full artistic scope. Following the comic opera Boccaccio by Franz von Suppé, 9-10 November 2007 marks the return of Die Fledermaus, directed by Peter Kube and with Tom Pauls in the role of Frosch. The theatre demonstrates its astonishing versatility with the musical Jekyll & Hyde in January 2008 and with Mozarts genuine opera for the people The Magic Flute in April. A further highlight, in June of 2008, is the musical Chess, composed by ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Bjørn Ulvaeus − the State Operettas own contribution to the 2008 Chess Olympics in Dresden.
Cultural Education as an Integral Component
After the overwhelming success of Dancin Jesus in the summer of 2006 (the production of Jesus Christ Superstar as a school project), the State Operetta is planning a second major youth theatre project in the spring of 2008. Director and choreograph Silvana Schröder will once more be working on a production with around 100 young people from two Dresden schools. The upcoming project, entitled Chess Fever, will be based on the musical Chess.
The theatres educational offerings are rounded off by school workshops, project events, school concerts and youth club productions. At the start of the new season, a theater educator will be joining the State Operetta team as a regular staff member.
