History
VBW’s three theatres are steeped in tradition and offer a uniquely broad palette of musical theatre. Thus, it not only plays an essential role in Austria’s cultural life and ranks as one of the country’s flagship institutions but is also of great importance for the economy and the tourism industry. Today, VBW have become a major influence on the country’s music and theatre scenes. Through the successes its musicals have achieved abroad, however, it has also become a producer that plays a role in setting the tone and forming stylistic trends in the international world of musicals. Furthermore, with its celebrated productions at the THEATER AN DER WIEN, which presents itself as Vienna’s new opera house, it has become one of the most innovative opera producers in Europe.
Up until 2005, the THEATER AN DER WIEN played musicals – interrupted only by The Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) and the KlangBogen Festival. This included many a legendary production such as Anatevka, Der Mann von La Mancha, Helden Helden and, thus, Austria’s first musical premiere, as well as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, and Das Phantom der Oper. The world premieres of large-scale VBW musical productions followed: Freudiana, Elisabeth, and the most successful German-language musical of all time: Mozart!
With the Mozart Year 2006, cultural policy took a new turn. As a „musical theatre of the 21st century”, the Theater an der Wien today shows contemporary works and Baroque-era operas. Under the „stagione“ system, ten to twelve opera premieres as well as numerous concert and dance productions are staged annually. In part, this is achieved in cooperation with, among others, The Vienna Symphony, the Radio Symphony Orchestra, and a number of international opera houses.
As ever, the RAIMUND THEATER and RONACHER, which was functionally renovated in 2008, are still dedicated to staging great musicals. VBW productions such as Dance of the Vampires, Wake Up, Barbarella, Rebecca, and, most recently, RUDOLF saw their premiere at RAIMUND THEATER. With The Producers and FRÜHLINGSERWACHEN, the most successful Broadway musicals of recent years had their German-language premieres at the RONACHER.
