THE BAYADERE

Premiere fever in Hof: Kálmán's 'The Bayadere' ignites operetta magic

When the curtain rises at the Grand House of the Theater Hof, a stage experience begins between longing and illusion. Emmerich Kálmán's operetta 'The Bayadere' celebrates its premiere and unfolds a theatrical atmosphere that enchants with waltzes, jazz rhythms, and opulent acting alike.

Exotic meets modernity: Dramaturgy with bite

At the center is Radjami, crown prince of Lahore, whose love for the celebrated Parisian singer Odette Darimonde shatters at the painful boundary of play and seriousness. The production accentuates this contrast: sparkling salons, a chic Paris, within a set design that draws the boundary line between dream and reality. The direction works with precise transitions and clear character guidance; this creates lively tableaux in which Kálmán's score breathes dramaturgically.

Sound colors of the 1920s: Waltz, Csárdás, Jazz

Kálmán mixes Hungarian folk tunes with the Viennese waltz and lets the dance rhythms of the jazz era shine. The orchestra spans a silky sound carpet over which the voices shine. The choir sets buoyant accents, the acoustics of the house carry the melodies to the last row—a reaction from the audience that oscillates between restrained attentiveness and spontaneous enthusiasm is part of the ritual here.

Stage art in detail: Team, ensemble, handwriting

The production by Oliver Pauli combines elegant theatricality with clear character delineation. Esther Bätschmann's stage and costumes make the golden tones of the twenties glow; Jürgen Burgers' lighting models faces and spaces with cinematic precision. Under the musical direction of Michael Falk, the Hof Symphony Orchestra along with the opera choir and ballet company unfolds a radiant palette. In the lead roles: Annina Olivia Battaglia as Odette, Minseok Kim as Radjami—with brilliant heights, cultivated phrasing, and a present performance.

Tradition and present: Operetta as a narrative force

Since its premiere in 1921, 'The Bayadere' has asserted its rank as an ambitious operetta jewel. The Hof production shows how cleverly told operetta moves: no nostalgic ornamentation, but vibrant music theater in which direction, dramaturgy, and set design speak the same language.

Voices of the fans

The reactions of theater lovers are clear: The Bayadere delights the audience. On Facebook, a theatergoer writes: 'Great music theater with style and heart—a brilliant evening.'

Conclusion: This premiere promises operetta brilliance with emotional depth. Those who experience the sensual lighting mood, the vividly colored costumes, and the elegant direction live will understand why Kálmán's music resonates from the 1920s to today.

Official channels of Theater Hof:

• Instagram: No official profile found
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/das.theater.hof/
• YouTube: No official profile found
• Website: https://www.theater-hof.de/

Sources:

• Theater Hof – Piece page The Bayadere
• Theater Hof – The House (Capacity, Accessibility)
• Theater Hof – Audience Service (Entry, Services, Accessibility)
• 100% Hof – Advance sales start New Year's Eve at the theater (Notes)
• nmz – Press review of The Bayadere, 04.02.2025
• Hofer Land – Theater Hof profile (with Facebook reference)