Operettas in Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein National Museum, April 13, 2022
The two operettas Vaduz and Balzers have been important witnesses to Liechtenstein cultural activity for centuries (PHOTO)
Vaduz (OTS) – Originally supported by the Balzers and Vaduz male choirs, today this tradition is carried on by their own clubs. A special exhibition in the Liechtenstein National Museum wants to follow this tradition and also take a look behind the scenes. Last year, the Vaduz operetta celebrated its 80th anniversary and the Balzers operetta its 75th. Both operettas expressed their joy with a commemorative publication that looked back on the past decades with justifiable pride. Many beautiful hours could be recalled – the focus was on singing together, which keeps you young and gives you a lot of joy.
The idea for the exhibition
The idea for this special exhibition came from Karlheinz Heeb, President of the Gesellschaft der Theaterfreunde in Vaduz. Together with Rita Vogt he had prepared the commemorative publication “Operettenbühne Vaduz 1940 -2020”; he would have thought it a pity if the photos and documents collected for this purpose had not also been used for an exhibition. The Balzers operetta was immediately willing to take part and made the documents, props, etc. stored in various depots available. The Liechtenstein National Museum did not require much persuasion: Rainer Vollkommer, director of the Liechtenstein National Museum, very quickly assured the exhibition project of the support and hospitality of the Liechtenstein National Museum.
Operettas – a fleeting art
Objects that are to be cared for and preserved in the long term are usually exhibited in museums because they have a lasting value. Operettas, on the other hand, live from the moment, from immediate experience. They want to create feelings and entertain the audience. This emotional world can only be captured in a film to a limited extent. Operettas are light, fleeting fare. A special feature of this exhibition is that the sets, the props, the costumes, etc. die. are not created for eternity, but for this one production. When the curtain falls, most of it is destroyed – there is no room in the depots for all the scenery and props. Some things, however, end up in a camp – “perhaps they can be used again”.
What is shown in the exhibition
After a special exhibition on the operettas in Vaduz and Balzers had been decided, the various depots were looked at to see what props from different years were still available. The result was an unbelievable hodgepodge: from bird cages to treasure chests to crowns, everything was there – even a Kalashnikov. The search for video recordings of the operettas was also quite successful – the yield with recordings from 31 productions is truly impressive. German Foser from the Liechtenstein National Museum digitized these films and edited the most beautiful songs together. The result – an important document on Liechtenstein artistic creation – can be seen in the exhibition. Next, many photos and some paper documents are shown. The actual backdrops are usually too bulky to be used in an exhibition. A publication with many large-format photos will also appear at the opening of the exhibition, which give an idea of the splendor and colorfulness of the operettas. Of course, the history of the two operetta stages should not be missing, but also an analysis of which operettas are well received by the audience and why only the famous operettas with good chances of success can be played. Paul Vogt wrote the text. Mathias Marxer and Gregor Schneider were responsible for the graphic design of the exhibition and the brochure.
Living Memories
The exhibition is primarily aimed at operetta fans. The more you know about this music genre, the more you will enjoy your visit. What gilds the operettas themselves also applies to the exhibition: please don’t take it too seriously, but recognize familiar things with a wink and maybe discover something unknown here and there.
The exhibition runs from Thursday, April 14, 2022 to Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
Questions & contact:
Liechtenstein National Museum
Prof. Dr. Rainer Vollkommer
director
Städtle 43, P.O. Box 1216
9490 Vaduz
Principality of Liechtenstein
T +423 239 68 20
the information@landesmuseum.li