In the summer of 2025, the Burg Gars Opera will once again present a magnificent production. Under the artistic direction of Clemens Unterreiner, Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" will be performed on the opera's open-air stage—and not only within the usual framework of the Gars Opera Festival.
This year's performance will be held in close cooperation with DDSG Blue Danube, one of Austria's most traditional shipping companies. This collaboration will transform the cultural experience on the Danube into a comprehensive event where culture and cuisine merge. The result is a comprehensive cultural experience that combines both opera performances and exciting boat trips, taking visitors on a musical journey through Austria.
The collaboration: Opera and shipping hand in hand
The collaboration between the Burg Gars Opera and the DDSG Blue Danube could hardly be more fitting. Clemens Unterreiner, a passionate Danube captain who serves not only as the opera's artistic director but also as an ambassador for the Danube, brought up the idea of a joint partnership. The DDSG Blue Danube, which has expanded a number of tourism and cultural collaborations in its 30th year of existence, focuses on an integrated experience for its passengers that combines culture and leisure fun.
Starting July 12, 2025, "La Traviata" will be performed a total of 13 times at the Burg Gars Opera. Visitors traveling with the DDSG Blue Danube will receive a 20 percent discount on ticket prices for this impressive opera performance. Conversely, operagoers also benefit from a discount on the company's boat cruises. Those who present their opera ticket will also receive a discount on DDSG Blue Danube scheduled cruises in Vienna and Lower Austria.
The idea behind this collaboration is to not only offer passengers the enjoyment of a high-class opera, but also to give them the opportunity to discover the fascinating region along the Danube and the Wachau in a relaxed manner. This makes the journey a holistic experience that uniquely combines music, nature, and culture.
The importance of the Danube as a connecting element
"Rivers create connections – and of course, in a musical way too!" This is how Clemens Unterreiner describes the vision behind this cultural merger. The artistic director sees the Danube as more than just a body of water that transports people from one place to another. For him, it is a symbol of the connection between cultures and a place of inspiration for music. The river, which connects Vienna Airport with the picturesque landscapes of the Wachau and further to Gars, is for him the ideal metaphor for the connection between art and nature. In the historic walls of Gars Castle and on the ships of the DDSG Blue Danube, a harmonious interplay of culture and nature can be found.
This partnership is significant not only for the art world, but also for tourism in Lower Austria. Cruises on the Danube thus become an integral part of a regional cultural program that showcases the diversity and beauty of the region. Furthermore, the cooperation also strengthens tourism in the region and promotes dialogue between local and international guests.
The operatic cultural diversity of the “Kulturburg”
But the Burg Gars Opera House's offerings extend far beyond performances of "La Traviata." Under the direction of Clemens Unterreiner, the "KulturBURG" was created—a diverse cultural program ranging from exhibition openings and matinees to song recitals and spectacular open-air events. In the 2025 season, guests can look forward to a host of top-class artists.
Highlights of the program include performances by Angelika Kirchschlager and Alfred Dorfer, the Vienna Chormädchen, the Vienna Boys' Choir, and numerous other artists such as Sky Du Mont, Maya Hakvoort, and opera stars Günther Groissböck and Elena Maximova. Further highlights of the season include performances by violin virtuoso Yury Revich and the Janoska Ensemble, which will enhance the region's cultural significance even further.
In addition to the opera, the "EventBURG" offers a broader range of programs, contributing to a comprehensive experience for culture lovers and tourists. Thus, Gars is perceived not only as an opera venue, but also as a cultural center that appeals to diverse tastes and interests.
The close collaboration between the Burg Gars Opera and the DDSG Blue Danube is also a strategic step toward more sustainable and diverse individual tourism in the Lower Austria region. The collaboration not only strengthens the tourism offering but also provides further impetus for international tourism. The region is presented as a cultural hotspot with a diverse program that appeals to both local and international guests. The goal remains clear: to offer guests a holistic experience that appeals to all the senses and sheds new light on the region's beauty.
and 