Premiere under the stars – PM Factory at "Madama Butterfly" at BURG GARS

Written by Victoria Forstner

11. July 2026

Our sponsorship of the Oper BURG GARS has become a tradition. The premiere of "Madama Butterfly" turned into an unexpectedly historic event.

This year’s summer event season kicked off on July 11th with an acclaimed premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Waldviertel castle ruins, the star-studded cast—featuring Kammersängerin Kristiane Kaiser as Cio-Cio-San, Daria Sushkova as Suzuki, Paolo Rumetz as Sharpless, and Christian Drescher as Goro—delivered outstanding vocal and dramatic performances that gave us, and surely the entire audience, goosebumps.

A moment of high drama occurred right after the first act: Pinkerton performer Vitaliy Kovalchuk suffered an acute allergic reaction and had to be replaced on the spot by Gabriel Arc! It was an extraordinary challenge for a premiere night—one that Artistic Director Clemens Unterreiner managed brilliantly, thanks to prudent preparation and the immense professionalism and flexibility shown by Gabriel Arc. This unusual situation seemed to foster an even deeper connection between the audience and the performers. The unexpected real-life drama and its happy resolution were rewarded by the premiere audience with thunderous applause for everyone involved. It was a magnificent, unforgettable premiere evening that will stay with us for a long time.

This year’s KulturBURG program features a host of other top-tier cultural experiences—including song recitals, concerts, and matinees—perfectly complemented by the diverse open-air events of EventBURG, ranging from pop and folk music to cabaret. We look forward to continuing our support as a sponsor for this multifaceted cultural highlight in 2026!