In the "Burgenland"

In the small towns of Moerbisch, and St. Margarethen, in the Austrian Province of "Burgenland"
we saw two absolutely magnificent performances.
We stayed at the Pension "Sonnenhof" (above)...and on the 16th July
we went to very nearby St. Margarethen, where, in a stone quarry, used in Roman times,
an astonishing outdoor arena had been built, seating over 4500 visitors.
There we witnessed a great performance of "Rigoletto".

A small street scene of Moerbisch.

In many, flower-bedecked side alleys you may purchase a glass
or two, or a bottle, or a case of the best wines grown there.
In Moerbisch, on the 17th July, we saw "My Fair Lady"...

"My Fair Lady"

MY FAIR LADY, The stage...

Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and many other of London's
land marks form this wonderful backdrop on which this,
surely one of the best of Musicals, performance is staged.

A detail of this elaborate stage setting

The study of Professor Higgins.

At the Ascot races.

MY FAIR LADY

The flowergirl, Eliza Doolittle, meets Col. Pickering
in the streets of London

Sharp tongued "Professor Higgins" tells
Eliza in no uncertain terms what he thinks of her.

In Professor Higgins's study the transformation
from the "common flowergirl" into the "First Lady"
of London's society begins.

One of this Musical's funniest scenes
happens in the private lodge of Lady Higgins
the Professor's mother.

RIGOLETTO, The Stage

Prior to the performance, a cool glass of summer wine
is enjoyed by many of the over 4000 visitors.

The open air stage, in front of whichVerdi's arias
are breathtakingly performed by some of
Europe's fine Opera Stars.

A close-up of the actual size stage on which these
wonderful melodies making up Giuseppe Verdi's
Opera, "Rigoletto" were performed.

Just a part of the audience who enjoyed this greatest of Operas
under clear skies.

RIGOLETTO - The Main Performers

Rigoletto with his daughter, Gilda, and Countess Magdalena

The hired killer, Sparafucile, and Magdalena
taking a well deserved final bow.

Giovanna, a "woman of easy virtue"

"Rigoletto" accepting thunderous applause
from over 4000 members of the audience.

Wider die Gewalt - Against Brutal Force (1)

"Schloss Finkenstein" und seine Arena sind die romantische Buehne
von welcher Christina und Melitta Trunk,
ein Ende der Gewalt, die so oft in dieser Welt
besonders gegen Frauen und Kinder ausgeuebt wird, verlangen.

Castel Finkenstein and its arena
are the romantic setting from which the organizers
Christina and Melitta Trunk demand an end to the brutal force
so often used particularly against women and children.

In this wonderful countryside they assemble artists of renown
to assist in this call.

In diese schoene Landschaft versammeln sie renomierte Kuenstler
um bei diesem Aufruf zu helfen.

The view from the Castle.

Der Ausblick von der Burg.

Wider die Gewalt - Against Brute Force (2)

The view from the castle onto the surrounding countryside

Der Ausblick vom Schloss

Langsam begeben sich die Zuschauer in die Arena
welche zur Buehne fuer wunderschoene Auffuehrungen dient.

Slowly the people move to their seats in the arena, which serves as a staging point
for these wonderful performances by most talented artists.

The performance starts at dusk in front of a full house.

Bei Abenddaemmerung beginnt die Vorstellung zu einem vollen Haus.

An enthusiastic audience supports not only the artists and their performances,
but also the Struggle against Brute Force, particularly against women and children.