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© Wiener Staatsoper
Woolf Works Ballet
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April 2027  | ||||||
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Woolf Works – Wayne McGregor | Ballet
About the production
A triptych of ballets drawn from Virginia Woolf’s landmark novels Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves with elements of her letters, essays and diaries, Woolf Works explores the collision of form and substance in Woolf’s writings – a recreation of the vivid, impressionistic qualities of Woolf’s prose, where emotions and sensations take precedence over plot.
Woolf Works expresses the heart of an artistic life driven to discover a freer, uniquely modern realism, and brings to life Woolf's world of 'granite and rainbow' where human beings are at once both physical body and uncontained essence.
The work sees Wayne McGregor reunited with acclaimed British composer Max Richter who creates a specially commissioned score incorporating electronic and live music, with set designs by architectural practices Ciguë and We Not I alongside costume and lighting designs by long-time collaborators Moritz Junge and Lucy Carter.
A work commissioned by the Royal Ballet London.
Total duration – approx. 95 minutes
About the choreography
Woolf Works marks a turning point in narrative classical ballet. The work has brought the genre of story ballet into the 21st century by combining powerful choreography with innovative technology.
Woolf Works is structured into three acts; ‘I now, I then’, ‘Becomings’ and ‘Tuesday’, each starkly distinct in visual design and choreography. “Woolf Works is not a literal description of Woolf’s writing. It’s very lavish, with new visualisation techniques and a collage structure; a full-on assault and collision of the senses. I think it’s interesting to have choreographed and designed the piece in the spirit of Woolf’s writing, in an unfolding stream of consciousness, rather than as a literal translation of the novels narratives” (Wayne McGregor)
Nice to know
Woolf Works premiered in 2015 with The Royal Ballet. Wayne McGregor created the role of Virginia Woolf for ballet director Alessandra Ferri, who was awarded a Laurence Olivier Award for her interpretation.
Program and cast
Musical Direction: Paul Connelly
Concept, Staging & Choreography: Wayne McGregor
Music: Max Richter
Set Design: Ciguë, We Not I, Wayne McGregor
Costumes: Moritz Junge
Lighting: Lucy Carter
Film Design: Ravi Deepres
Dramaturgy: Uzma Hameed
Make-up Designer: Kabuki
Sound Associate: Chris Ekers
Vienna State Opera
Public Transport
Subway lines: U1, U2, U4
Trams: 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Buses: 59A
Local Railway: Badner Bahn
Stops: Karlsplatz / Opera
Taxi stands are available nearby.
Parking
Parking is only € 6, - for eight hours!
The Wiener Staatsoper and the ÖPARK Kärntner Ring Garage on Mahlerstraße 8, under the “Ringstraßengalerien”, offer the patrons of the Vienna State Opera a new, reduced parking fee. You can park in the Kärntner Ring Garage for up to 8 hours and pay only a flat fee of € 6, -. Just validate your ticket at one of the discount machines inside the Wiener Staatsoper. The normal rate will be charged for parking time greater than 8 hours. The validation machines can be found at the following coat checks: Operngasse, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, and the right and left and balcony galleries.
Important: In order to get the discount, please draw a ticket and do not use your credit card when entering the garage!
After devaluing your ticket in the Wiener Staatsoper you can pay comfortably by credit card or cash at the vending machines.
The machines accept coins and bills up to 50.- Euro. Parking time longer than 8 hours will be charged at the normal rate.
History
The structure of the opera house was planned by the Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg, while the inside was designed by interior decorator Eduard van der Nüll. It was also impacted by other major artists such as Moritz von Schwind, who painted the frescoes in the foyer, and the famous "Zauberflöten" (“Magic Flute”) series of frescoes on the veranda. Neither of the architects survived to see the opening of ‘their’ opera house: the sensitive van der Nüll committed suicide, and his friend Sicardsburg died of a stroke soon afterwards.
On May 25, 1869, the opera house solemnly opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The popularity of the building grew under the artistic influence of the first directors: Franz von Dingelstedt, Johann Herbeck, Franz Jauner, and Wilhelm Jahn. The Vienna opera experienced its first high point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. He completely transformed the outdated performance system, increased the precision and timing of the performances, and also utilized the experience of other noteworthy artists, such as Alfred Roller, for the formation of new stage aesthetics.
The years 1938 to 1945 were a dark chapter in the history of the opera house. Under the Nazis, many members of the house were driven out, pursued, and killed, and many works were not allowed to be played.
On March 12, 1945, the opera house was devastated during a bombing, but on May 1, 1945, the “State Opera in the Volksoper” opened with a performance of Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. On October 6, 1945, the hastily restored “Theaters an der Wien” reopened with Beethoven's FIDELIO. For the next ten years the Vienna State Opera operated in two venues while the true headquarters was being rebuilt at a great expense.
The Secretary of State for Public Works, Julius Raab, announced on May 24, 1945, that reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera would begin immediately. Only the main facade, the grand staircase, and the Schwind Foyer had been spared from the bombs. On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera reopened with a new auditorium and modernized technology. Under the direction of Karl Böhm, Beethoven’s FIDELIO was brilliantly performed, and the opening ceremonies were broadcast by Austrian television. The whole world understood that life was beginning again for this country that had just regained its independence.
Today, the Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world; in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. It has been under the direction of Dominique Meyer since September 1, 2010.
© Wiener Staatsoper
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