Philosophy
Neue Oper Wien was founded in 1990. It specialized in modern music theatre, thus ending the almost complete absence thereof in Vienna and in Austria at the beginning of the 1990s. Since 1994, Neue Oper Wien has adhered to the uncompromising policy of programming only works of the 20th and 21st centuries. New discoveries as well as world and territorial premières are central to the company’s work. An additional aspect is the revival of modern opera repertoire that has disappeared from the stage over time.
With neither its own venue nor a constant ensemble, Neue Oper Wien wishes to remain unburdened and flexible; its credo is not only to explore new worlds of sound, but also new spaces and locations. With the concept of seeking out venues according to the works to be performed, the spaces become part of the ensemble, the scenery is adapted closely to the space, and the acoustics of the new space are tried out and developed.
Under the direction of Prof. Walter Kobéra, the Neue Oper Wien demonstrated that innovation and audience appeal are not mutually exclusive, and that “modern opera” and innovative productions are not a “specter” for music lovers, but rather stimulate intense discussion. Music theater as a place for substantive and socio-political debate is lived out at the Neue Oper Wien. The “New Music” laboratory, where composers, librettists, and producers work closely together, will be continued and developed in the coming years. The new artistic director is complementing the large productions with smaller HOTSPOT productions in order to set new standards for contemporary musical theater in the outskirts of Vienna as well.
