Opera in the hospital: Duke Franz experiences Alceste between patients!

Opera in the hospital: Duke Franz experiences Alceste between patients!

On September 1, 2025, the Großhadern Clinic will be the venue for a special cultural event. The opera “Alceste” by Christoph Willibald Gluck is celebrating its premiere there, and not under normal circumstances. A 92-year-old Duke, who arrives in a car with an E license plate and appears to walk well despite his age, is among the guests of honor. The evening newspaper reports that the clinic, with its impressive 50 meter high ward, offers a very special backdrop for the performance.

Here, clinic staff and patients meet in the clinic's casino, where the performance takes place. The production is part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the independent group Opera Incognita, which with “Alceste” returns to the beginning of its activity when it brought “Armide” to the stage in the reactor hall in 2005. The clinic highlights that the opera is performed in French with German surtitles and focuses heavily on the themes of human existence, illness and death, making it particularly appropriate for the venue.

An innovative approach to opera

Director Andreas Wiedermann was inspired by historical performance practice when staging the tragic story about King Admetos and his self-sacrificing wife Alcestis. Reference is made to the connection to Marie Antoinette, which plays a role in the costumes and the overall concept. Munich ticket adds that the plot is based on the ancient myth in which Alcestis sacrifices her life for her terminally ill husband.

Particularly striking is the individualized choir, which represents both the king's family and the hospital staff, giving the piece an additional dimension. There was criticism of the musical performance, as the Abendzeitung notes: The orchestra sounded a bit thin in the large room, especially during the overture. Carolin Ritter in the role of Alkestis and Algin Özcan as Admetos provide the inevitable emotional depth.

Performance dates and ticket prices

The opera will be performed on September 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th, with ticket prices ranging from 57 to 68 euros. These special performances not only offer the opportunity to engage with Gluck's classic work, but also a space to find a new approach to the often difficult topics surrounding health and existential questions.

In this context, clinic director Markus M. Lerch takes the opportunity to call for people to register for a bone marrow donation, which makes the evening not only a cultural but also a social event. A special moment that combines both art and humanity.