Saxony: Sparkling wine for the premiere: Rathen rock stage reopened

Rathen (dpa/sn) - There is theater again on the rock stage in Rathen in Saxon Switzerland: After a two-year break for renovation, the popular open-air theater with the natural backdrop of sandstone rocks was reopened on Sunday evening with a gala.

Saxony: Sparkling wine for the premiere: Rathen rock stage reopened

Rathen (dpa/sn) - There is theater again on the rock stage in Rathen in Saxon Switzerland: After a two-year break for renovation, the popular open-air theater with the natural backdrop of sandstone rocks was reopened on Sunday evening with a gala. Around 1,800 spectators toasted the season opener with a glass of sparkling wine. The Landesbühnen Sachsen, which organize the summer season in Rathen every year, presented excerpts from the planned premieres at the gala.

"The Saxon cultural landscape is inconceivable without the Rathen rock stage," said Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) in his welcoming address. In fact, the Felsenbühne is more than just an open-air theatre: "People come together here to experience great performances in a special atmosphere, to exchange ideas and at the same time to enjoy the beautiful nature of our homeland. The Felsenbühne is a real treasure in our cultural landscape ."

Kretschmer came to Rathen together with Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch (CDU) and Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig (SPD). The celebrity guests at the gala included Puhdys guitarist Dieter Hertrampf, singer Dirk Zöllner and former soccer coach Eduard Geyer.

The season in Rathen includes around 50 performances, including a new production of Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman". The performance ends with Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" on September 3rd.

The Felsenbühne Rathen is one of the most popular natural theaters in Germany. The stage was rebuilt and renovated for a good 18 million euros. The playing area is now much larger than before and has been equipped with special riding sand, because there are also horses on the stage, for example in plays based on the books by Karl May. The stage technology and auditorium were also upgraded. The focus of the renovation was a new functional building including an orchestra pavilion.