Last Premiere: Seductive Bicycle Lessons at the Kammeroper

Vienna's Kammeroper is set to close its doors, marking the end of an era for the venue that has hosted performances since 1961. The theater, which became part of the Theater an der Wien in 2012, has been a space for intimate and experimental productions, often serving as a launchpad for young talent. Its closure, officially termed a "pause," is widely seen as permanent given Vienna's current financial situation.

Director Anna Bernreiter lamented the closure, describing the Kammeroper as a "small, protected space" and a "springboard for young singers." She emphasized the audience's expectation of being surprised at the venue, noting that its "diversity is also part of Viennese identity." Bernreiter is directing the final production, a double bill of one-act operas: Mieczysław Weinberg's "Lady Magnesia" and Bohuslav Martinů's "Zweimal Alexander."

Both operas delve into the theme of infidelity, but through distinct and darkly humorous narratives. In "Lady Magnesia," a jealous husband's attempt to murder his wife is thwarted by a sneeze, leading him to poison her lover instead. The wife then shifts her affections back to her husband, who becomes overwhelmed by her attention. The situation escalates comically as the lover turns into a statue, symbolizing the petrified relationship between the couple.

"Zweimal Alexander" presents a different approach to marital jealousy. The article does not detail the plot of the second opera but implies it also explores the consequences of a husband's suspicions. The musical direction for "Lady Magnesia" is described as dramatically intense, enhancing the comedic absurdity, with the Wiener Kammer Orchester conducted by Irene Delgado-Jiménez.