The mountain spirit of the Schöckl. Miniature opera 

Miniature opera by Christoph Breidler and Susanne F. Wolf. In conjunction with the presentation of issue 9 of Art Machine.

Opera in the countryside, mobile, lively and very close to the audience

Loaded to the rafters with a mini-orchestra from Graz University of the Arts and singers from Graz Opera, the ‘Opernpucherl’ stops off in seven different regions of Styria to surprise people of all ages with the first part of the saga of the mountain ghost of Schöckl as a miniature opera. On 21 April it stops off in Pöllau!

Styrian harmonica, viola, clarinet and tuba are the instruments of a mini-orchestra made up of musicians from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. Together with two singers from Graz Opera, they perform the Styrian legend of the mountain ghost of Schöckl using musical and theatrical means. It tells the story of a farmer who unwillingly enters the realm of the mountain spirit and is rewarded by him for his modesty. Composer Christoph Breidler from Graz and Viennese author Susanne F. Wolf are fascinated by the popular and clever view of a bygone era on timeless and highly topical themes such as the exploitation of nature and its natural resources, greed, generosity and, of course, the opera theme par excellence: love.

This mobile production brings the first part of this contemporary work to a place where opera does not normally take place - within reach, on the main square of Pöllau!

And the end of the story?

That will take place in Graz, where audience members from all over Styria will be able to experience the continuation of the mysterious story in the opera house on 14 May 2024 at the invitation of Oper Graz. Together with the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra, the familiar cast members will present the brilliant ending to the story on the big stage.

CastMusical direction: Stefan Birnhuber
Direction: Florian Kutej
Dramaturgy: Katharina Rückl
Singers:inside: Roman Pichler (Rupert Gruber)
Andżelika Wiśniewska (Ana Skok | Xandl Zack)

Viola: Mihály Juhász / U Chon Wong Clarinet: Anna Hiden / Nicola Vitale Styrian harmonica: Lukas Ganster / Max Neubauer Tuba: Stefan Hirt

In co-operation with Oper Graz and Kunstuniversität Graz (KUG)With the kind support of the Province of Styria (Dept. 9 Culture, Europe, Sport)

The event is free of charge.