The Theater an der Wien is one of three large venues of the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (VBW), which belongs to the Wien Holding. After two and a half years of construction, the renovation and modernization have been completed. The celebratory opening will take place on October 12, 2024 with a ceremony with representatives from culture, politics and business. ORF III broadcasts live.
The Theater an der Wien is one of the most beautiful and traditional theaters in the city. The starting signal for the urgently needed general renovation and modernization was given in spring 2022. The last time the Theater an der Wien was completely renovated was in 1962. The extensive and complicated work was carried out in accordance with the strict guidelines of monument protection.
Over the last two and a half years, the house, including its structure, has been extensively and sustainably renovated. This means that the future of the opera house is secured in the long term for future generations. One of the most modern opera stages has been created, which meets the highest standards and requirements for the safety and comfort of visitors, artists and employees and guarantees contemporary, modern performance operations in the long term. The work was carried out in accordance with the requirements of monument protection, which covers parts of the theater such as the so-called “Papagenotor” on Millöckergasse and the theater hall.
From the facade to the front and rear buildings, from the foyer to the interior, from the building services and building structure to the “opening” to the Naschmarkt
The measures for the basic renovation and modernization of the historic theater included, for example, the renovation of the facade surfaces, drainage work, an urgently needed security and fire protection renovation, a complete renovation of the electrical engineering, the heating and ventilation system as well as the cold and hot water installations, the modernization of the entire event technology, strengthening the statics of the Schnürboden, the construction of an elevator system for accessibility, making the audience experience in the foyers and break rooms more attractive – with the opening of the theater to the Naschmarkt – through the construction of a terrace and the renovation of the theater hall taking into account monument preservation aspects .
During a local inspection with the Wien Holding managing director Kurt GollowitzerVBW Managing Director Franz Dead and MusikTheater an der Wien-Intendant Stefan Herheim First insights into the renovated and modernized theater were given.
Kurt GollowitzerVienna Holding Managing Director
“After the Ronacher and Raimund Theater, the third traditional venue of the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien now shines in new splendor. The aim of the renovation was to preserve the Theater an der Wien as a historic opera stage for future generations and to ensure contemporary, modern theater operations in the long term “Vienna is one of Europe’s great cultural cities and, not least against this background, Wien Holding is committed to investing sustainably in the future of its theaters.”
Franz DeadVBW Managing Director
“With today’s media event, we are now providing a clear view of the comprehensive changes and modernizations that will await our audience at the Theater an der Wien. We are pleased that the curtain will rise again on this historic house on Saturday, after two and a half years of construction will lift and we can start a new season together with our visitors.”
Stefan HerheimMusikTheater an der Wien-Intendant
“The beautiful and historic Theater an der Wien has been modernized in such a way that we can build an artistic bridge between the past and the present in a contemporary way in the future. Old and new do not form a contradiction here, but rather testify to the continuity of a living musical theater.”
Season opener at the Theater an der Wien
The completion of the general renovation will be celebrated on the morning of October 12th together with the public, representatives from politics, culture and business as well as many people who contributed to the success of the construction project. In the evening there will be a concert performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Idomeneus instead of.
Robert Schumann Paradise and the Perithe two Handel operas Rodelinda Regina Re Di Langobardi and Alcina as well as the family project The heartless giant and the musical evening in hell Alter Ego with David Bergmüller form the concert program until the end of the year. The first staged production in the new house will be Johann Strauss’ The Queen’s lace shawl which will also usher in the Strauss Year 2025.
TV focus for the opening on ORF III
To get you in the mood for the reopening, ORF III will show the “Erbe Österreich” production “Der Wienfluss” (10.30 a.m.) on Saturday, October 12th. The ceremony will then be broadcast live on ORF III at 11:05 a.m.
The evening before, on Friday, October 11th, Ani Gülgün-Mayr reported with a “Culture Today Special” (7:40 p.m.) from the reopened Theater an der Wien and asked host Stefan Herheim to speak to her.
In addition, a new documentary will be shown as part of “Heritage Austria”. “Mariahilfer Stories – the Theater an der Wien” (Tuesday, October 15th, 9:05 p.m.) by Martin Vogg sheds light on the history of the Theater an der Wien and its surroundings.
Further information:
Theater an der Wien
Theater an der Wien – Facebook
