»Lohengrin« premiere moved up

Probably, there will not be cultural events to look forward to for most of November in Germany, but this Sunday, November 1, offers one last chance to experience a long-awaited premiere together: Spontaneously, Intendant and General Music Director Prof. Ulf Schirmer is moving up the premiere of Lohengrin, originally planned to take place on November 7. The abridged version of Wagner’s stage work will now take place early at the Oper Leipzig: the new premiere date is this coming Sunday, November 1, 2020, at 6:00 pm. The afternoon premiere of the Junge Oper Leipzig’s production of Amadeus Musikus in the Concert Foyer will also take place as scheduled. »When, if not now?!«says Ulf Schirmer. »We’ll roll out the red carpet once again on the last day before this necessary closing, offering our loyal and enthusiastic audience a chance to enjoy the Lohengrin premiere.« The premiere of Il Trovatore set for later in November cannot take place as planned.

To prepare for the rescheduled premiere of Lohengrin, the ensemble, guests, Chorus of the Oper Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester are taking advantage of the now freed-up stage to conduct intensive and additional rehearsals. Backstage, the stagehands, as well as the lighting, sound, make-up, costumes and props teams, are all speeding up their preparations. Audience members who have already purchased tickets will be informed about the new premiere date by the Ticket Office. For this purpose, the Opera House box office will be open – in addition to its usual opening hours – on Reformation Day (October 31, 2020) from 12 noon and on Sunday, November 1, 2020, continuously from 2pm until the curtain rises on the performance.

Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, abridged version
Premiere new on November 1, 2020, Oper Leipzig, Opera House, 6:00 pm    

With Michael Weinius in the title role, Jennifer Holloway as Elsa, Simon Neal as Telramund, Kathrin Göring as Ortrud, Sebastian Pilgrim as Heinrich, Mathias Hausmann as Heerrufer, Randall Jakobsh as Heinrich der Vogler and others.  

Stage Direction: Patrick Bialdyga
Images: Klaus Hack
Musical Direction: Ulf Schirmer

The times we live in demand an approach to each work that is at both unique and creative. For Intendant and General Music Director Prof. Ulf Schirmer, however, the music is always the focus. And the generous proportions of the Opera House’s main stage means it’s possible to make music together with the Gewandhausorchester – one of the best orchestras in the world – in its full strength. Schirmer has developed an abridged version of Lohengrin that presents all of its grand musical scenes (such as the »Bridal Chorus« or the »Grail Narration«) in their full length. By arranging the scenic movement in front of the orchestra, the audience will be even closer to the action. Patrick Bialdyga, director of artistic production at the Oper Leipzig, will stage this special version of Lohengrin. He says, »This intimacy makes Lohengin into a chamber work.«  

Tickets, gift certificates, and refunds:
You can reach the Oper Leipzig Visitor Services personally on the Augustusplatz, by telephone at +49 (0)341-1261 261,
or via E-Mail service@oper-leipzig.de
Ticket Office and Telephone Service at the Opera House opening times: Mon – Sat 10:00am to 7:00pm,
Additionally on Friday, October 31, 2020, from 12:00 until the start of the performance, and Sunday, November 1, from 2:00pm until the start of the performance.