The Ion Dacian National Operetta and Musical Theatre will celebrate 200 years since the birth of Johann Strauss II between 18 and 26 October, as part of the RE: STRAUSS Festival.
"Johann Strauss II is a composer of fundamental importance to the operetta genre - for his refined satire, the charm of his waltzes, and the elegance of his music. We designed this festival to be more than a tribute - it is a declaration of love for authentic Viennese music. From the sparkling comedy of Viennese Blood to the romantic adventure of The Gypsy Baron, culminating with the unique Strauss 200 Gala in the style of the salon orchestras that once delighted the Viennese imperial court," said Radu Petrovici, general manager of the Ion Dacian National Operetta and Musical Theatre, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.
RE: STRAUSS is described as "an original concept, a story of reinvention, a revival of the repertoire and traditions, and a reflection on the history of the institution as it marks 75 years of existence - an institution that continues to respond through creativity, dialogue, and contemporary vision," reads the release.
The festival opens on 18 and 19 October at 6 p.m. with the premiere of Viennese Blood, a concert-performance directed by Rares Zaharia.
"I tried to distil this performance to its essence, because Viennese Blood is surprisingly close in characters and social meaning to the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy - from the noble and common couples in The Marriage of Figaro to the seducer of Don Giovanni and the gender confusions of Cosě fan tutte. You don't need lavish sets for a story that thrives in an open space. I hope, with all due excitement, that the audience will leave the theatre humming," said the director.
On 24 October at 7 p.m., the theatre will host Waltz. Dance. Waltz. - Strauss Jubilee, part of the Operetta Lounge concert series held in the theatre foyer - a celebration of the Strauss dynasty and of the salon orchestras that transformed the waltz into an immortal art form.
The Strauss 200 Concert, performed by the Salon Orchestra and Operetta Theatre soloists on 25 October at 6 p.m., marks the composer's birthday and recreates the musical experience of the Viennese imperial salons, featuring waltzes, polkas, gallops, and both famous and rediscovered orchestral works in their original arrangements.
One of the most beloved titles in the Operetta's current repertoire, The Gypsy Baron, will close the festival on 26 October at 6 p.m.
"Since its premiere in 1885, The Gypsy Baron has remained Johann Strauss II's second most popular operetta after Die Fledermaus. The libretto by Ignaz Schnitzer, inspired by Mór Jókai's novel Saffi, tells the story of Barinkay's return from exile to find his family's castle in ruins, now occupied by the farmer Zsupan," highlights the cited source.
The bicentenary celebration will continue until the end of 2025 with four performances of Die Fledermaus scheduled for 13, 14, 30, and 31 December, reviving the long-standing New Year's Eve tradition.
The full programme is available on the theatre's official website: www.opereta.ro.
A special RE: STRAUSS Festival pass, covering all four events, offers a 20% discount compared to individual ticket prices, plus free access to Waltz. Dance. Waltz., subject to availability at the time of purchase.
Tickets are available at www.ticketstore.ro and from the theatre's box office.
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