“Come with me to Varasdin…” Many organizers and music theaters have followed this sung popular song invitation from Emmerich Kálmán’s successful operetta “Countess Mariza”. Director Thomas Enzinger’s version was spectacularly unique when it premiered at the Linz Music Theater on Saturday. There’s singing, yes, there’s dancing, yes – but the decisive factor here is the “how”. Baron Koloman Zsupán (Jonathan Hartzendorf) raps, tries his hand at Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk, and the dance ensemble (choreography Evamaria Mayer) acts exuberantly in pink glittering costumes.
Freed from the K-.u-.k.-stuff
A first, long applauded highlight of a production that is the best entertainment in the form of tongue-in-cheek but always professional fun. Thomas Enzinger (director of the Lehar Festival in Bad Ischl) is something of a genre leader, his operettas are freed from the stench of the imperial and royal monarchy. At the Landestheater, this year they went back to their routine and the obviously never-ending inspiration, knowing full well that Enzinger will make more out of the rather meaningless (love) material than the annual quota operetta at the house. Enzinger’s “Countess” never offends the genre, she takes it lightly without making fun of it.
Famous dance
This environment generates a lively spectacle on the stage beautifully designed by Bernd Franke. The ensemble, choir (directed by Elena Pierini) and the Bruckner Orchestra (conducted by the always eloquent and inspiring Marc Reibel) act with great enthusiasm. Götz Lanzelot Fischer draws on the full range of colors and ideas for the costumes.
The dance ensemble choreographed by Evamaria Mayer is absolutely outstanding. Mayer’s handwriting is implemented by the eight dancers with great professionalism and outstanding skill, some of which are breathtaking. The dance performance is the icing on the cake in this production. For a long time to come, people will talk about her first when this “Countess Mariza” from Linz is addressed.
Carina Tybjerg Madsen makes a strong debut as a permanent member of the Linz ensemble in the title role of the Countess. A bit nervous at first – which can be heard from the strong vibrato – she constantly gains self-confidence and acts sometimes as a fun-loving, sometimes as a frustrated, but always neat countess, always understandable and credible. Matjaz Stopinsek plays a strong Graf Tassilo, who vocally has the demanding game under control. The same applies to Michael Wagner (Populescu), Fenja Lukas (Lisa) and Karina Jay Bailey (Manja). As a violinist, Sorin Stefan drives the story forward with virtuosity. Jonathan Hartzendorf inspires as the versatile Baron Zsupán with voice, dance, wit and magic.
The appearance of Princess Chlumetz (April Hailer) and her valet Penizek (Markus Raab) is funny. The latter replaces the facial expressions of the princess, who lost them “thanks” to severe cosmetic surgery. This sequence is clearly too long. The red thread of the character of the girl (enchanting: Isabela Guadalupe Mehr) is neglected and remains largely enigmatic.
- OÖN Christkindl Gala: The net proceeds from “Countess Mariza” on December 1st, 7:30 p.m. in the Linz Music Theater go to the OÖN Christkindl for compatriots in need. Tickets: landestheater-linz.at
Source: Nachrichten
