Salzburger Marionettentheater - Karneval der Tiere

Duration: 1 hour


Carnival of the Animals - An Animal Trilogy




I. The story of Babar, the little elephant: after the children's book by Jean de Brunhoff (1899-1937), music by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)


II. Ferdinand: after the children's book by Munro Leaf (1905-1976), music by Alan Ridout (1934-1996)


III. Carnival of the Animals: music by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)






In German with explanations in English

program

Karneval der Tiere
Poulenc/Ridout/Saint-Saëns


I. Die Geschichte von Babar, dem kleinen Elefanten: nach dem Kinderbuch von Jean de Brunhoff (1899–1937), Musik von Francis Poulenc (1899–1963), Bearbeitung von Paul Yeon Lee
II. Ferdinand, der Stier: nach dem Kinderbuch von Munro Leaf (1905–1976), Musik von Alan Ridout (1934–1996)
III. Der Karneval der Tiere: Musik von Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)

Place

In 1893, the old-established Kaltenhausen brewery built "a restaurant and function-rooms" in the Schwarzstrasse, between the Lasser Villa (now the Mozarteum) and the theatre. The architect was Carl Demel, the master builder Valentin Ceconi. In 1897 these function-rooms were converted to the Mirabell Hotel. After World War II the Mirabell Casino was the principal tenant until 1968. Conversion work began in 1970, in order to give the Marionette Theatre a new playhouse. The former dining-room of the Mirabell Hotel was converted into an auditorium with a stage, and its rich decoration of stucco and frescoes is still impressive. There was similar stucco-work, though not quite so opulent, in the foyer, but unfortunately in the course of the 1970/71 conversion it was covered by a plasterboard ceiling. The stucco ceiling underneath was forgotten, to be rediscovered in 2000 when repairs were being carried out. In 2003 the foyer was restored to its original condition.