Le Grand Macabre Vienna

Le Grand Macabre Opera Tickets — Ligeti at the Vienna State Opera

Jan Lauwers — who also directs, choreographs, and designs the set — brings his unique theatrical vision to György Ligeti's only opera: a wild, grotesque apocalypse comedy that is unlike anything else in the repertoire. Pablo Heras-Casado conducts this extraordinary score, which ranges from collage and quotation to moments of haunting beauty.

The outstanding Austrian bass-baritone Georg Nigl stars as Nekrotzar, the self-proclaimed bringer of death, with Sarah Aristidou as Venus/Chief of the Gepopo and the extraordinary countertenor Xavier Sabata as Fürst Go-Go. Premiered at the Royal Opera Stockholm in 1978, Le Grand Macabre is Ligeti's grand, discursive world theatre — a surreal vision of humanity's drives and weaknesses bringing about nothing less than the end of the world. Black comedy, musical brilliance, and apocalyptic absurdity in one unforgettable evening.

• Conductor: Pablo Heras-Casado
• Stage Director: Jan Lauwers (direction, choreography & set design)
• Cast: Georg Nigl (Nekrotzar), Sarah Aristidou (Venus/Gepopo), Xavier Sabata (Fürst Go-Go), Maria Nazarova (Amanda)
• Performances: 15, 20, 22 & 25 March 2026
• Venue: Vienna State Opera — Opernring 2, 1010 Vienna
• Duration: Approx. 2 hours (two acts)
• Language: German/English

An unforgettable operatic experience — unlike anything else. Book your Le Grand Macabre tickets now.