Exactly 225 years after the opening night of Mozart’s Magic Flute, the latest VBW musical by Christian Struppeck (book) and triple Oscar, Grammy und Golden Globe-winner Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) about the actor, singer, director, writer and theatre manager Emanuel Schikaneder and his wife Eleonore premiered at Vienna’s Raimund Theater, directed by triple Tony-winner Sir Trevor Nunn.

The title roles were played by Mark Seibert (Emanuel Schikaneder) and Milica Jovanovic (Eleonore Schikaneder), who – like the rest of the magnificent ensemble - were rewarded with thunderous applause and standing ovations.

Guests included. Peter Hanke, Renate Brauner, Dagmar Koller, Lilian Klebow, Maya Hakvoort, Gery Keszler, Dagmar Schellenberger and Minister of Culture Thomas Drozda, who was bid an official farewell as Managing Director of the VBW during the opening night party at Vienna City Hall.

A Viennese theatrical legend

Emanuel Schikaneder was the founder of the Theater an der Wien and is still considered a Viennese theatrical legend, the most significant impresario and theatre practitioner of the 18th century. The idea for the Magic Flute came from him, he wrote the libretto and in 1791 he played the first ever Papageno at the opening night at the Wiener Freihaustheater, conducted by Mozart himself.

SCHIKANEDER lets the audience peer behind the scenes of that long-gone theatre world and tells with charm and humour the story of Emanuel and Eleonore’s turbulent relationship - from carefree young love to a genuinely mature partnership with all its highs and lows - and their lasting impact on Vienna’s cultural landscape. Without this most fascinating of 18th century theatrical couples, one of opera’s greatest works – “The Magic Flute” – would never have been written.   

SCHIKANEDER performs daily except for Mondays at the Raimund Theater. Advance ticket sales have begun for performances up to June 2017.