ELISABETH – The musical by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay has become the most popular and globally successful German-language musical since its premiere in Vienna in 1992: The dramatic and touching story about the life, work, and suffering of the Austrian empress has been met with cheers and enthusiasm by over twelve million viewers in 14 countries to date! In recent years, the spectacular new open-air production of ELISABETH in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace has enchanted over 100,000 visitors. Now, for the first time, this version can be admired as a large-scale theater production on selected stages in Germany.

In this thrilling semi-staged performance of the international hit by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, the audience is transported into a world full of emotion, intrigue, and
passion. For the first time, the large orchestra is positioned in the middle of the stage and, together with the star-studded cast in the leading roles—dressed in original costumes, of course—ensures an even stronger focus on the performers, their beautiful
songs, and the moving fates of their characters.

The acclaimed production by renowned director Gil Mehmert promises to be a special experience for all musical lovers. The two authors were also enthusiastic about the
idea of this new adaptation of their work: "We are really delighted that the Schönbrunn version of our play will finally be shown in Germany. The team has created a truly moving and intense theatrical version that is well worth seeing," Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay are convinced.
With its powerful music, opulent costumes, and rousing choreography, the captivating story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria can be experienced anew and authentically in this exciting
adaptation!

The fate of the beautiful Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi, has touched and fascinated entire generations. To this day, her legend lives on far beyond the borders of Europe. Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay have turned her extraordinary life story into a multi-layered and emotional musical experience that seeks to explore Sisi's motives and recounts her journey until her assassination by Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni on Lake Geneva in 1898.

Both drew on numerous historical models and sources. The result is a thrilling piece about fame and power, love and loss, beauty, jealousy, and murder. Far removed from the sentimental charm of old films, it is realistic, fascinating, and a little dark. But it is also grotesque and funny, sentimental and tender at times.

The range of emotions is also reflected in Sylvester Levay's music: whether it's goose bump-inducing ballads like "Ich gehör' nur mir" (I Belong Only to Myself) or fast, rocking numbers like "So wie man denkt..." (The Way You Think...), the catchy melodies simply stay with the audience.

Elisabeth's life begins like a fairy tale: a radiantly beautiful young woman, she ascends the Austrian throne at the age of just 16. Instead of her sister Helene, who was the intended bride, Emperor Franz Joseph chooses her as his wife. He cannot resist her joie de vivre, her lightheartedness, and her youthfulness. But soon after the festive wedding, the first shadows appear: the young, strong woman strives for fulfillment and independence with a degree of independence that is unusual for her time (
). However, the constraints of court life set narrow limits on Elisabeth. She suffers more and more from this, feeling trapped in a proverbial golden cage.

She can hardly bear to stay in Vienna any longer; her inner turmoil drives her from place to place. Restless, she travels through Europe, unreachable by anyone, neither her son nor her husband. She loses herself in her own world, constantly accompanied by a mysterious force—death. Failed dreams and a life in chains: her melancholy increasingly turns into a longing for death. And so, in the musical, "death" appears in the form of a seductive young man (
), who, as Elisabeth's despair grows, repeatedly offers himself as her lover.

After the suicide of her son Rudolf, Elisabeth realizes that her life has been a failure and loses all will to live. She retreats to Corfu, where she writes poetry and keeps a diary, while nationalism and ethnic hatred increasingly gain the upper hand in Vienna. Emperor Franz Joseph is no longer able to control these forces and is also helpless in the face of his
rival, the almighty Death.

The assassination by Luigi Lucheni on the shores of Lake Geneva brings the "lovers" together. Elisabeth's struggles and longings end in a passionate embrace with death. An era comes to an end, a new era begins.