SANCTA
Opera performance by Florentina Holzinger with Paul Hindemith’s opera Sancta Susanna (Libretto: August Schramm), sacred works and new compositions
in German, Latin and English with German and English surtitles
in German, Latin and English with German and English surtitles
"A scandal? No, joy. Exuberant joy," was the verdict of the Süddeutsche Zeitung after the Schwerin premiere of SANCTA. Florentina Holzinger's opera performance combines Paul Hindemith's one act opera Sancta Susanna with elements of the Catholic liturgy to create a new and radical vision of the Holy Mass ritual. Together with her performers, Holzinger embarks on spectacular physical borderline experiences and explores individual spirituality and faith, sexuality and pain, shame and liberation. Magic and religious miracles are reinterpreted in an ecstatic celebration of community and self-determination, in which J.S. Bach meets metal, the Weather Girls meet Rachmaninov - and naked nuns meet roller skates.
#StgtSancta
From 18 years
This performance depicts explicit sexual acts as well as representations and descriptions of (sexual) violence. It also features real blood and stage blood, piercing processes, and the infliction of wounds. The performance includes strobe effects, high volume, and incense.
This performance depicts explicit sexual acts as well as representations and descriptions of (sexual) violence. It also features real blood and stage blood, piercing processes, and the infliction of wounds. The performance includes strobe effects, high volume, and incense.
Duration
approx. 2 h 45 min (no interval)
approx. 2 h 45 min (no interval)
World premiere
May 30, 2024 in Schwerin
May 30, 2024 in Schwerin
There will be a german introduction 45 minutes before the performance at the Upper Foyer (I. Rang).
Oct 2025
SANCTA
Sun
5
17:00 – 19:45
Opernhaus
Opernhaus
Cast
Musikalische Leitung Marit Strindlund
Regie und Choreografie Florentina Holzinger
Komposition und Arrangements Johanna Doderer
Komposition und Supervision Bühnenmusik Born in Flamez
Komposition und Sound Design Stefan Schneider
Komponistin und Produzentin Nadine Neven Raihani
Weitere Kompositionen Josephinex Ashley Hansis, Christopher Kandelin, Gibrana Cervantes, Karl-Johann Ankarblom, otay:onii, Odette T. Waller
Bühne und Kostüme Nikola Knežević
Lichtdesign Anne Meussen
Videodesign Maja Čule
Chor Manuel Pujol
Dramaturgie Fernando Belfiore, Philipp Amelungsen, Felix Ritter, Miron Hakenbeck, Michele Rizzo, Renée Copraij, Sara Ostertag, Judith Lebiez
Regie und Choreografie Florentina Holzinger
Komposition und Arrangements Johanna Doderer
Komposition und Supervision Bühnenmusik Born in Flamez
Komposition und Sound Design Stefan Schneider
Komponistin und Produzentin Nadine Neven Raihani
Weitere Kompositionen Josephinex Ashley Hansis, Christopher Kandelin, Gibrana Cervantes, Karl-Johann Ankarblom, otay:onii, Odette T. Waller
Bühne und Kostüme Nikola Knežević
Lichtdesign Anne Meussen
Videodesign Maja Čule
Chor Manuel Pujol
Dramaturgie Fernando Belfiore, Philipp Amelungsen, Felix Ritter, Miron Hakenbeck, Michele Rizzo, Renée Copraij, Sara Ostertag, Judith Lebiez
Performance von und mit Florentina Holzinger, Laura London, Jasko Fide, Gibrana Cervantes, Annina Machaz, Fleshpiece, Born in Flamez, Blathin Eckhardt, Malin Nilsson, Luz de Luna Duran, Fibi Eyewalker, Mery Muñoz, Renée Copraij, Xana Novais, Veronica Thompson, Sophie Duncan, Sara Lancerio, Luci Fire Tusk, Paige A. Flash, otay:onii, Netti Nüganen, Saioa Alvarez Ruiz
Susanna Caroline Melzer
Klementia Andrea Baker
Alte Nonne Emma Rothmann
Bühnenmusik Blathin Eckhardt, Gibrana Cervantes, otay:onii, Paige A. Flash
Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Sängerinnen des Staatsopernchores Stuttgart
Susanna Caroline Melzer
Klementia Andrea Baker
Alte Nonne Emma Rothmann
Bühnenmusik Blathin Eckhardt, Gibrana Cervantes, otay:onii, Paige A. Flash
Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Sängerinnen des Staatsopernchores Stuttgart
Nov 2025
Trailer
Photo Gallery
A production by Florentina Holzinger/Spirit, neon lobster, Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater and Staatsoper Stuttgart in co-production with Wiener Festwochen | Freie Republik Wien, Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz Berlin in cooperation with Komische Oper Berlin, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Julidans and Theater Rotterdam
Funded by Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien, Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien and Ammodo
With support from Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlichen Dienst und Sport, Anna und Manfred Wakolbinger
Support during the research phase: Goethe-Institut
Support during the research phase: Goethe-Institut