La Calisto

The world lies in ruins, devastated by an inferno. Jupiter, the supreme god, wishes to supply the Earth with water again. He descends to Earth and, all of a sudden, falls in love with the nymph Callisto. Although she has dedicated herself to the goddess Diana’s cult of chastity, Jupiter is undeterred: taking Diana’s form, he seduces the nymph. Afterwards, when Callisto encounters the real Diana, she is met not with love, but with rejection and anger. Diana, for her part, has lost her heart to the young Endymion, which in turn arouses the jealousy of Pan, the god of shepherds. In the end, Jupiter’s wife Juno puts an end to all these passion-driven goings-on and attempted seductions, and turns her husband’s innocent beloved into a wild bear. Gods, nymphs and mythical creatures are thrown together in Francesco Cavalli’s opera La Calisto. All are under the spell of love and desire, power and violence, and so present a tragicomic portrayal of human passions. The opera, first performed in Venice in 1651, questions not just the moral standards on which social order is based, but also the gender roles they demand. Does Callisto’s transformation into the constellation Ursa Major at the end of the opera represent a break with the divine order or a conquest? Artistic director Stefan Herheim stages this early Baroque opera in collaboration with the lutenist and conductor Christina Pluhar, one of the leading exponents of seventeenth-century music, as comic fairy-tale theatre.

In Italian with German and English surtitles
Introduction to the work 30 minutes before curtain-up

duration: approx. 3 hours

A co-production with the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin

program

La Calisto

Francesco Cavalli


Dramma per musica in drei Akten und einem Prolog

Libretto von Giovanni Faustini

Place

Theater an der Wien – Vienna’s Stage for Outstanding Opera and Music Theater

The Theater an der Wien is one of Vienna’s most prestigious opera houses, renowned for its exceptional productions of operas, oratorios, and musical theater. Located in the 6th district, near the famous Naschmarkt, this historic venue impresses with its magnificent architecture and long-standing tradition.

Since its opening in 1801, the Theater an der Wien has witnessed numerous milestones in music history. It was here that Beethoven’s “Fidelio” premiered, and works by Mozart, Strauss, and other great composers have shaped its stage. Today, the theater is particularly known for high-quality opera productions in their original language, featuring both historical and modern interpretations.

With a strong focus on rarely performed operas, Baroque masterpieces, and innovative productions, the Theater an der Wien sets itself apart from the major state operas, offering opera enthusiasts a diverse and groundbreaking repertoire.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U4 – Kettenbrückengasse station (approx. 5-minute walk)
• U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station (approx. 7-minute walk)

Tram:

• Lines 1, 62, D – Paulanergasse stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Bärenmühldurchgang stop

Thanks to its central location, the Theater an der Wien is easily accessible by public transport.

Theater an der Wien – The Opera Stage for Musical Discoveries

Blending musical tradition with bold new productions and world-class performers, the Theater an der Wien is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience opera at the highest level.