The Oper im Steinbruch in St. Margarethen, Austria, will host a new production of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca in 2026, featuring a monumental stage design that recreates 1800s Napoleonic-era Rome. According to ORF, the production will be captured for television, with a broadcast scheduled on ORF III on July 15, 2026, and a follow-up airing on 3sat on August 9, 2026.
The Production Design of Tosca at St. Margarethen
Director and stage designer Thaddeus Strassberger returns to the Steinbruch to lead the 2026 Tosca. Strassberger previously directed the venue’s productions of Turandot in 2021 and Aida in 2024. The upcoming staging utilizes the natural rock landscape of the Roman quarry to reflect the drama of the verismo masterpiece. Technical preparations include the construction of large-scale props, such as massive cannons and a custom-made, oversized thurible, which will be suspended above the stage. The production’s musical direction is led by conductor Valerio Galli, who previously oversaw the 2023 Carmen at the same venue.
Broadcast Details and Behind-the-Scenes Coverage
Viewers can access the production through several ORF programs. The premiere will be broadcast on ORF III on July 15, 2026, at 9:05 p.m. Preceding the opera, the program Kultur Heute Spezial (7:40 p.m.) will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the technical requirements for the stage, including interviews with Intendant Daniel Serafin. Additionally, ORF 2 will air a documentary titled Mord, Macht und Männer in Strapsen. Der burgenländische Festspielsommer 2026 on July 25 and 26. This documentary covers the Tosca production alongside the Seefestspiele Mörbisch performance of the musical La Cage aux Folles.
Global Trends in Open-Air Opera
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is directing the 2026 Tosca at St. Margarethen?
Thaddeus Strassberger is responsible for both the stage direction and the stage design.
When can I watch the broadcast of Tosca on TV?
The premiere will be broadcast on ORF III on July 15, 2026, at 9:05 p.m. A subsequent airing is scheduled for 3sat on August 9, 2026, at 10:45 a.m.
What other production is featured in the ORF documentary?
The documentary Mord, Macht und Männer in Strapsen also covers the Seefestspiele Mörbisch production of the musical La Cage aux Folles.
Who is the principal conductor for the 2026 production?
Italian conductor Valerio Galli leads the Piedra Festivalorchester for this production.
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