Director of the Bavarian State Opera demands: "Let 50 percent in the hall!"

Created: 01/11/2022, 6:22 PM

From: Markus Thiel

Criticizes the Corona rules: Serge Dorny, director of the Bavarian State Opera.

© Marcus sleep

Serge Dorny also has to get used to empty rows.

The director of the Bavarian State Opera had a different picture of his first year in office.

But it seems as if the calls for help and panic from the cultural scene are at least no longer ignored by Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU).

The protest of the cultural scene against Bavaria's Corona rules seems to be having an effect: Allegedly, the state government is considering allowing opera houses, theaters and concert halls to occupy more than 25 percent.

And the game could still be played above an incidence of 1000.

We spoke with Serge Dorny about the situation of the Bavarian State Opera in the near-lockdown.

In restaurants you can sit, eat and drink in a confined space and only with 2G; in terms of culture, the rules in Bavaria are still much more restrictive.

How do you judge that?

Serge Dorny:

As an institution, we are very aware of our responsibility with regard to the occurrence of infections, and we take it very seriously. The Bavarian State Opera has a capacity of more than 2000 seats. No more than 525 are allowed on sale at the moment. I'll take your example: a restaurant, 400 seats, some of which are around the opera. Currently with a 2G rule and then without a mask requirement at the seat. I am fully aware that people need food in order to live. But I am sure that in such a crisis-ridden time culture can be an essential element of a society. These two images, people come together, eat what is essential, are so similar and yet are treated so differently.

Corona rules: In cultural halls, 2G plus, a mask requirement and only 25 percent occupancy apply.

© dpa Picture Alliance / Gerald Matzka

What can the State Opera do to end the imbalance?

Serge Dorny:

A good question.

We would like to have 50 percent of performances under the very high, existing Corona rules.

There is nowhere safer in public life.

It will not only be our task, but above all the task of politics to find a way to deal with the virus that allows us to lead a plannable, orderly life.

Has the cultural scene been too quiet in the past few months?

Or did politics become more and more deaf?

Serge Dorny:

I'm not sure whether it is the task of the cultural scene to create a loud mood against current politics.

And I'm not saying at all that it was appropriate.

The task of politics and cultural institutions is to design visions of a social future there so that people have a place to be people.

Maybe that should have been mentioned louder.

Corona rules in gastro: 2G, no mask, no tests, full utilization allowed.

© Jan Woitas / dpa

Not only the State Opera was repeatedly forced to reschedule due to the changing corona rules.

What does that mean for you?

Serge Dorny:

Every new regulation means an enormous amount of work for us.

New seating plans have to be designed, the tickets sold have to be completely canceled and a limited contingent has to be put on sale again.

That is a lot of effort for the visitor communication and the colleagues at the cash registers, because of course many are not happy not to be able to see a long-awaited performance after all.

Agility and perseverance are required.

Is there a risk that you will irrevocably lose parts of your audience?

Serge Dorny:

Of course there is a risk!

I just believe that after many restrictions, the point will come when the public will come back to the museums and theaters!

We observe that there are audiences who are still very cautious, but we also see that younger audiences in particular are now increasingly using the opportunity to go to the Bavarian State Opera.

According to the constitution, Bavaria sees itself as a “cultural state”.

Given the current situation, is that justified?

Serge Dorny:

Bavaria is a cultural state, and that's a good thing, because Bavaria has a rich cultural landscape.

The constitutional article in question goes further, however: “The state protects cultural tradition.” One must ask oneself whether the possibility of cultural transmission is actually still given with the current restrictions.