Cabaret at Haus am Ring – Comedian Alex Kristan conquers the Vienna State Opera

Comedian Alex Kristan launched the show “50 Shades of Schmäh” on the occasion of his 50th birthday. Maria Enzersdorfer is now 52, ​​and she still tours with the same “shame” (although she always adapts to current events). And on Tuesday evening, Kristan interrupted his usual summer vacation. In an unparalleled location: the Vienna State Opera.

“It was my first time ever in an opera house and I thought: Wow, this is a really cool backdrop. I didn’t know how high the boxes were. This huge lobby rises up in front of you like a wall,” Kristan marvels in an interview with NÖN.

Unsurprisingly, Kristan was enthusiastically received by 2,284 fans: “It was a very emotional moment for me because I also realized that something like this had never happened before. I was the first cabaret artist allowed to perform there since the founding of the Vienna State Opera. This fills me with pride and humility.”

“Griaß eich” is no longer relevant.

Accordingly, he was “unsure” about finding the right words of greeting, Christian smiled: “Griaß eich” comes from a time “when the Dead Sea was still sick” and does not work at all given the 72 gender identities that exist now. So he tried “Dear grandfathers and forefathers of the state” and promised not to let “Nessun dorma or the prisoners' choir” sing.

The star comedian put on a nearly three-hour fireworks display of the usual depth, which a “real” opera audience would have recognized with shouts of “Bravo.” People also love to receive a standing ovation in the cabaret.

It takes a lot of sweat to get to every guest at the show.

Christian, who has been a “trusted provider of humor services” for 22 years, had to rethink the location, which is unusual for him: “In places this size, you have to fill the room with a lot of energy to really get everything going.” A guest reaches the top of the boxes to get in. I was very tired and sweaty by the end of the show, but it was incredibly fun.

“It was an honour to be able to perform at the opera house: a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s no surprise that it was sold out three weeks ago,” said Christian, thanking the audience and applauding in turn. “The Vienna State Opera was something very special, and I don’t know how you can top it. But overall, for me, the next performance is always the most important, regardless of the type and size of the venue.