Vienna State Opera Commemorated Reopening 70 Years Ago

On that Saturday 70 years ago, the rebuilt Vienna State Opera was ceremoniously opened. In a morning ceremony, this memorable event was commemorated in the House on the Ring on Wednesday, attended by the country's prominent figures, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.

"Chord of Truth and Life's Lie"

Director Bogdan Roščić recalled the lack of addressing the Nazi past at the supposed new beginning in 1955, the re-engagement of compromised artists paired with the lack of invitation to the exiled. "The chord of truth and life's lie" was dominant not only in Austria in general but also at the State Opera, before the managements from the 80s onwards began to confront history, said Roščić.

Vienna State Opera Commemorated Reopening: Harmony of High Culture and Atrocities

Federal President Van der Bellen questioned how an outstanding conductor like Karl Böhm, who had also succeeded under the Nazis, could shape the opening production at the House. "I have never quite understood how high culture and atrocities can go hand in hand," admitted Van der Bellen: "And yet it happened - in the most heinous way."

Accordingly, it is important for the country to know its history and draw the right conclusions from it, Van der Bellen made clear: "History does not repeat itself - at least not 1:1. But it is instructive."

Memorial Plaque in Remembrance of the Victims

Thus, the anniversary was used as an occasion to unveil a memorial plaque in the arcade at the Ring, commemorating the members of the opera who were murdered and expelled during National Socialism. Above the inscription, Käthe Kollwitz's Mourning Woman is depicted as a relief. More than 100 employees had to leave the opera after the "Anschluss" due to their Jewish heritage, Danielle Spera reminded in her speech about the victims.

Furthermore, Alexander Van der Bellen, who also acts as the main figure of the State Opera today, opened an exhibition in the balcony area of the building, which will focus on photographs and some exhibits related to the reconstruction and the preceding destruction until the end of January 2026. Finally, the State Opera does not limit the commemoration to the actual reopening but also includes those events that led to the destruction of the historicist palace in the last weeks of World War II.

Publication Accompanies Exhibition

Therefore, the exhibition is accompanied by the publication "In the Palace of Self-Invention," which will be released on November 7 by Molden Verlag. In various essays, authors such as Oliver Rathkolb, Sabine Plakolm-Forsthuber, or the dramaturgy duo Andreas Láng and Oliver Láng explore the events from the destruction in 1945 to the inauguration of Erich Boltenstern's reconstruction work in 1955. Additionally, numerous historical photographs are printed.

And finally, ORF also celebrates the anniversary. Based on a book by Gerald Heidegger, Alexandra Venier has developed the documentary "Vienna State Opera - World Stage for Austria." In it, the history of the house, beginning in 1869, is read as a reflection of Austrian history. Naturally, numerous contemporary witnesses as well as experts have their say. The nearly hour-long documentary can be seen on Wednesday evening from 10:30 PM on ORF 2. And Ö1 will address the opening of the iconic building on Thursday from 2:05 PM under the title "'Austrian Coronation' - and then?".

New "Fidelio" in December at the Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera also places itself in a certain tradition next month when a new production of Beethoven's "Fidelio" will be celebrated on December 16 - with the very piece that reopened the new old house on November 5, 1955.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.