World première of Wolfgang Rihm's opera fantasy Dionysos

Salzburg Festival

It is some time since the Salzburg Festival last opened with the première of a new opera. Wolfgang Rihm was inspired to compose Dionysos by Friedrich Nietszche’s late poem cycle Dionysos-Dithyramben, although the philosopher’s take on the god of intoxication is only one aspect of the work. Ingo Metzmacher presents the work on 27 Jul (further performances: 30 Jul, 5 and 8 Aug, director Pierre Audi; stage design, Jonathan Meese).

The première is complemented by a journey across the “continent of Rihm”, a series of concerts featuring 15 works by Rihm programmed by concert director Markus Hinterhäuser between 29 Jul and 22 Aug. The revival of the Poème dansé Tutuguri at the Felsenreitschule on the 29 Jul has already attracted considerable attention.

Other highlights: Quid est Deus (2 Aug, conducted by Sylvain Cambreling), ET LUX (7 Aug, the Hilliard Ensemble, Arditti Quartet), Gesungene Zeit (8 and 10 Aug, conductor Riccardo Chailly, Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin), Séraphin-Sphäre (9 Aug, Klangforum Wien), Jagden und Formen (10 and 11 Aug, choreographed by Sasha Waltz with Ensemble Modern), Musik für 3 Streicher (13 Aug, ensemble recherche) and Ernster Gesang (21 and 22 Aug, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach).

There is also a series of events entitled “the exegesis of Rihm”, providing further information and discussion.

The piano reduction of Rihm's Dionysos is now ready for you to browse: