Friday the Thirteenth - An evening for Arnold Schönberg

To mark the 150th anniversary of Arnold Schönberg, the MusikTheater an der Wien, led by director Johannes Erath, was conspiring with Klangforum Wien, sopranos Christine Schäfer and Magdalena Anna Hofmann, as well as the Arnold Schoenberg Choir to create a voluptuously madcap evening, which celebrated the Viennese composer's humor, versatility and love of experimentation. The immersive theatre experience gave a varied insight into Schönberg's dazzling world and tackled the most crucial question: Did the composer, plagued by a fear of the number 13, simply have to stop after twelve semitones?

Friday the Thirteenth was dedicated to the memory of Michael Boder, who passed away unexpectedly on 7 April, 2024. The production was conceived under his musical direction. The MusikTheater an der Wien was committed to continue the production in his spirit under the direction of Anna Sushon, who prepared the project together with Michael Boder. She is internationally active as a répétiteur and conductor, and her repertoire includes works from all stylistic periods, with a focus on contemporary music.