A new production of Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg (to give it its full name) opens at Vienna's State Opera next week on 16 June.
Conducted by their incoming music director, Franz Welser-Möst (above), it's directed by that regie-est of Regisseurs, Claus Guth. The staid period costumes seen in the rehearsal photos though suggest anything but a controversial production.
The high-powered cast includes Ain Anger as Hermann, Christian Gerhaher as Wolfram, Anja Kampe as Elisabeth, Michaela Schuster as Venus and Johan Botha as Tannhäuser. Gerhaher and Botha are also scheduled for Covent Garden's new Tim Albery Tannhäuser later in the year.
Check out the photos on the next page.
Anja Kampe and Ain Anger:
Anja Kampe and Johan Botha. Has Blotha dropped a pound or two, or is it just the mighty power of a well-cut suit?:
Michaela Schuster and Johan Botha:
Attention, forklift required. Anja Kampe and Johan Botha:
Christian Gerhaher and Johan Botha:
photos: Reuters
