Organization

Singer

Soprano

Polina Pastirchak

Dorotka

Tenor

Matthias Koziorowski

Babinský

Baritone

Denis Milo

Švanda

Bass

Daeho Kim

Černokněžník

Wilfried Zelinka

Čert

Martin Fournier

Čertův famulus

Pekelný hejtman

Stage director

Dirk Schmeding

Conductor

Robert Jindra

Lighting designer

Sebastian Alphons

Costume designer

Frank Lichtenberg

Set designer

Martina Segna

Video designer

Johannes Kulz

Choreographer

Beate Vollack

Dramaturge

Bernd Krispin

Chorus master

Bernhard Schneider

Petr Sokolov

Schwanda

Sangyeon Chae

Second Landsknecht

Richard Jähnig

Mezzo-soprano

Anna Brull

Královna

Marius Burkert

Oper Graz

Orchestra

Grazer Philharmoniker

Others

Choir & extra choir Bernhard Schneider

Czech

Svanda Dudák -  (Svanda the Bagpiper)

Graz

Austria

Opernhaus Graz

Hauptbühne

Svanda Dudák Weinberger

Public

Svanda the Bagpiper

German

Approved

Opera by Jaromír Weinberger in two acts (five acts) Libretto by Miloš Kareš In Czech with German surtitles Recommended for ages 14 and up A veritable cockcrow in the orchestra takes us to Schwanda's farm, where his wife Dorotka looks after the poultry. The robber Babinský lured Schwanda to adventures in the wide world, and he left his wife behind. With his bagpipes he warms the heart of the ice queen. However, when she realizes that he is already married, his head has to roll. As if by magic, the executioner's ax turns into a broom, but Schwanda only escapes danger for a brief moment, because a thoughtless word catapults him straight into hell, where the devil is endlessly bored. Schwanda steadfastly refuses to play something on his bagpipes for the Prince of Hell. Although the devil succeeds in wresting Schwanda's soul from him, Babinský is smarter than the devil himself. He frees Schwanda from hell and brings him back to Dorotka. It's nicest at home, because here "you can hear the geese screeching, and the rooster crows too". The Graz new production is staged by Dirk Schmeding, who is very familiar with the Czech repertoire with Janáček productions and most recently “Rusalka” in Braunschweig. Robert Jindra provides authentic Czech sound splendor. Cast Musical direction: Robert Jindra | Marius Burkert Staging: Dirk Schmeding Stage: Martina Segna Costumes: Frank Lichtenberg Choreography: Beate Vollack Lighting: Sebastian Alphons Video: Krzysztof Honowski Dramaturgy: Bernd Krispin Choir & Extra Choir: Bernhard Schneider Schwanda: Petr Sokolov Dorotka: Polina Pastirchak Babinský: Matthias Koziorowski Queen: Ester Pavlu | Anna Brull Magician: Daeho Kim Devil: Wilfried Zelinka First Landsknecht | judge | Executioner: Marlin Miller Hell Captain | Devil's Famulus

A veritable cock crow in the orchestra leads us to Schwanda's farm, where his wife Dorotka tends the poultry. The robber Babinský entices Schwanda to go on adventures in the wide world, and he leaves his wife behind. With his bagpipes he warms the heart of the ice queen. But when she realizes that he's already married, his head rolls. As if by magic, the executioner's ax turns into a broomstick, but Schwanda only escapes the danger for a brief moment, because a careless word catapults him straight into hell, where the devil is infinitely bored. Schwanda steadfastly refuses to play anything on his bagpipes for the prince of Hell. The devil does manage to steal Schwanda's soul, but Babinský is more cunning than the devil himself. He frees Schwanda from hell and brings him back to Dorotka. It's most beautiful at home, because here “you hear the geese screaming, the rooster crows too”.
The new production in Graz is staged by Dirk Schmeding, who is very familiar with the Czech repertoire with Janáček productions and most recently with “Rusalka” in Braunschweig. Robert Jindra ensures authentic Czech sound.

English

Svanda the Bagpiper by Weinberger, From (2021/2022), Directed by Dirk Schmeding,, Conductor Robert Jindra, Marius Burkert, Opernhaus Graz, Graz, Austria

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

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Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

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Further reading

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