Aschenbrödels Dream

The fairy tale of Cinderella is well known. Less well known, however, is that Johann Strauss worked on a ballet based on this fairy tale at the end of his life. Only a fragment of it has survived. The mysteries surrounding this fragment inspired Axel Ranisch and Martina Eisenreich to create their own piece about the creation of the ballet, its storyline, as well as an unusual Cinderella story set in our present day. This fairy-tale operetta presents a Cinderella unlike any other Cinderella in the world!

Vienna, 2025: The young Cinderella moves into a house at Glasergasse 7 in Vienna with her stepmother Alice and stepsisters Dorothee and BirdyLove. Alice wants to recruit the talented young footballer Danny for her football club, FC Wien, and in doing so, she disrupts not only Cinderella’s emotional world. While exploring the house, Cinderella discovers in the attic the libretto for a ballet by Johann Strauss, written by a certain Ida Grünwald. This sets off a chain reaction that twists time itself…

Vienna, 1899: Johann Strauss wishes to compose a ballet. A competition is held to find a suitable libretto, and indeed, one of them manages to inspire the composer’s imagination. But it does not come from the official submissions—it comes from the copyist Ida Grünwald. She was supposed to merely type out the competition entries but secretly smuggled in her own Cinderella.

The Cinderella Ballet: The talented seamstress Grete works in her stepmother’s fashion salon. Grete dreams of designing her own fashions, but her stepsisters Yvette and Fanchon make fun of her. When the painter Leon enters the salon, everything changes.

Aschenbrödels Traum (Cinderella’s Dream) takes the audience on a fantastic journey, telling a story of self-discovery and emancipation as much as of creativity and the power of imagination. Martina Eisenreich’s music traces the artistic spirit of Johann Strauss, plays with quotations, and yet creates an entirely new musical world.

Experience this unique production at the Volksoper Wien! Book your tickets now and let yourself be enchanted by Aschenbrödel's Dream!

program

Aschenbrödels Traum
Märchenoperette von Martina Eisenreich und Axel Ranisch
Inspiriert von Johann Strauß
In deutscher Sprache mit deutschen und englischen Übertiteln

Place

Volksoper Vienna – A Musical Theater of Tradition, Diversity, and Joy

The Volksoper Vienna is one of Austria’s leading opera houses and an essential part of Vienna’s vibrant cultural scene. Renowned for its diverse program, which includes opera, operetta, musicals, and ballet, it provides high-quality entertainment appealing to audiences of all ages.

Since its opening in 1898, the Volksoper has delighted visitors with charming productions, outstanding artists, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Among the classics regularly performed are world-famous operettas such as Johann Strauss’s "Die Fledermaus" or Franz Lehár’s "The Merry Widow," along with renowned operas, musicals, and contemporary performances.

The Volksoper is celebrated for its lively atmosphere and audience-friendly performances, focusing equally on entertainment and musical excellence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U6 Station Währinger Straße – Volksoper – direct access

• Lines 40, 41, 42 (Währinger Straße/Volksoper stop) – directly in front of the venue

• Line 40A (Währinger Straße/Volksoper stop)