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Bogdan Roščić faces the coronavirus in his first season as conductor of the Vienna State Opera and wants to attract young audiences to the opera.
A warehouse of masks would be needed for the choir, said the new conductor of the Vienna State Opera, Bogdan Roščić, at the beginning of Wednesday’s press conference, which announced its first season. Masks are required in the house, “but where do you put them on stage?” He asked. “We deal with these kinds of issues every day.” So the sanitizer dispenser to his right didn’t want to stop donating. The corona virus indisputably dominates the season opening of the Vienna State Opera.
Wiener Staasoper opens with “Madame Butterfly”
When “Madame Butterfly” opens on September 7 with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, it will be six months since the opera was performed at the house. Much has changed for visitors: a maximum of four cards can be purchased per person, these are personalized. The seating arrangement is dynamic, says Roščić. This means that, depending on how the tickets are sold, there would only be room for between 950 and 1200 visitors instead of 1709. At the moment, it has not been possible to offer standing places, so the places have been enabled and can be get it for three or four euros in the same conditions as before. “We do not want this institution, which is important in terms of social and cultural policy, to die,” said the director. As with the Salzburg Festival, it is recommended to wear the mask during the performance. Also, you are asked to refrain from shouting bravo. Does that apply to boos too? “Aerosol infection is said to be even more dangerous here,” responds Roščić humorously.
Roščić: “The virus does not dictate the game plan”
Unlike Salzburg, there are breaks and buffet. Shortened versions of the opera are also avoided. Roščić emphasizes that the game plan does not want to be dictated by the corona virus. “There are no Richard Strauss arrangements for four recorders”.
Ten operas, two ballet premieres and two children’s operas are planned. The director Franz Welser-Möst, the singers Jonas Kaufmann and Plácido Domingo return, celebrating their debut among others Maria Happel and the famous South African soprano Pretty Yende.
There is also a behind-the-scenes safety concept, so employees are regularly screened. Additional material and testing costs are expected at € 350,000 per month, as explained by the new commercial director, Petra Bohuslav. For the July and August trials alone, the costs for 1,675 tests amounted to € 182,000.
Tickets for general rehearsals for ten euros for young audiences
Because international guests stayed away and the regular audience was often part of the risk group, ticket sales were slow, says Petra Bohuslav. That is reflected in the budget. “We are currently expecting less than four million euros, liability for non-compliance by the owner, the Republic of Austria, has been promised up to 6.4 million euros.” This calculation assumes that the Opera Ball takes place in 2021.
In general, they want to attract young visitors to the State Opera, emphasizes the director. “The average age of our audience is 64 years old. We want to initiate, not just make gestures.” One begins on Saturday when those under 27 can see the dress rehearsal for “Madame Butterfly” for ten euros. This applies to all opera and ballet premieres of the season.
