Vienna Volksoper: Lass uns die Welt vergessen - Volksoper 1938

Operetta has always been a form of escapism, a way to flee the everyday world and enter a dreamlike reality. But what happens when this reality can no longer be ignored? What happens when the events in the world are so horrendous that they cannot be forgotten? In the early months of 1938, the current political climate intrudes upon the Volksoper, during rehearsals for the operetta *Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau*. How do intolerance, discrimination, and fascism affect the staff of the Volksoper?

Political discussions and accusations undermine collaboration. As the Nazi regime takes power, significant changes occur within the Volksoper: layoffs at all levels of the house, affecting opera singers, conductors, orchestra musicians, and librettists—people persecuted for their Jewish heritage or political beliefs. A powerful reflection on the past can also lead to a confrontation with a painful period in the Volksoper’s history, and we do not wish to avoid this reckoning.

In *Lass uns die Welt vergessen*, director Theu Boermans brings the charming, light-hearted entertainment of the Beneš operetta back to the Volksoper stage, juxtaposing it with the harsh political reality of the Nazi era. Conductor Keren Kagarlitsky reconstructed the score of *Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau* by Jara Beneš from the few remaining materials.

Today’s ensemble performs the ensemble of the past.

The Volksoper Wien, or Vienna People's Opera, is one of Vienna's major opera houses. It's located in the 9th district and is renowned for its diverse programming that includes operas, operettas, musicals, and ballets. Founded in 1898 originally as a straightforward theatre, it has developed into a globally recognized venue for accessible performances of a wide range of musical theater genres.

The Volksoper is Vienna's leading house for operetta, the lighter, more accessible cousin of opera, often involving spoken dialogue alongside music. It serves as a complement to the more formal Wiener Staatsoper, offering performances that appeal to a broader audience, including children and families. The repertoire includes classics by composers such as Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár, and Emmerich Kálmán, alongside well-known operas and popular musicals.

The Volksoper also has a commitment to cultivating new talents and features performances by up-and-coming artists as well as established stars. With approximately 300 performances a year, it plays a pivotal role in Vienna's cultural scene, providing entertainment that is both high in quality and varied in style. This opera house is an integral part of Vienna's rich musical heritage, offering a more casual and inclusive approach to the performing arts.