It was something special to experience them together on Wednesday evening in the Brucknerhaus in Linz, as they all share the passion for their profession: musicians and singers who were not allowed to practice their profession for a long time during the pandemic – and all the medical staff, almost those in the past two years everything was demanded and will continue to be. To thank the latter for their tireless efforts was the mission of the “Tombola of Appreciation”, initiated by the OÖNachrichten.
Work on the Covid station
Around 6,000 nurses took part in the initiative. Among the total of 2,000 winners were 250 winners who could look forward to tickets for Johann Strauss’ operetta “Wiener Blut”.
For some it was the first visit to the Brucknerhaus, like Isabella Humer. “I’m happy that I won,” says the qualified health and nurse from Vöcklabruck. At the Corona station, she experienced the suffering first hand. “Somebody died almost every day,” says the young woman. Overtime? “Of course, quite a few.” Eva Mayer also remembers many failures in the team: “Everyone has to work everywhere.” The evening was a short break for the department assistant at the Steyr hospital. Yesterday, on the holiday, she was back on duty.
What Dietmar Kerschbaum, artistic director at the Brucknerhaus, anticipated the performance: “Music can also heal. May the evening bring strength to everyone and may never break their hearts.” Rudolf Andreas Cuturi, editor of OÖNachrichten, also greeted the guests personally before the “Viennese blood” was allowed to flow on the stage. Like slightly sparkling champagne, into which the Johann Strauss Ensemble under Guido Mancusi transformed the sounds of its namesake. The vocal ensemble also showed lively playfulness in the semi-staged production by Susanne Sommer: Bruckner house owner Dietmar Kerschbaum left nothing to be desired as Count Zedlau. Neither with Franziska Cagliari (Elisabeth Breuer with charming elegance) nor with Pepi Pleininger (lively and fresh: Theresa Grabner). What his wife wore with composure (sovereign as Gabriele: Volksoper guest Renate Pitscheider). Hans Gröning (Prince Ypsheim-Gindelbach), Michael C. Havlicek as valet Josef and – in the speaking roles – Erich Josef Langwiesner (Graf Bitowski) and Gerhard Ernst (Kagler) drove the mistaken comedy forward. The St. Pölten European Ballet exudes classic grace.
Long, grateful applause for two light-footed hours of carefree joy to enjoy.
Source: Nachrichten
