Evita

The rainy weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors at the opening of the 14th Kufstein Summer of Operetta on Friday, June 29. The program included the musical classic "Evita" by Tim Rice with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which this time was staged by director Enrique Gasa Valga. The premiere was also attended by numerous guests of honor, including AK President Erwin Zangerl, former provincial governor Herwig van Staa and Wendelin Weingartner. Together with Gasa Valga, LR Toni Mattle spoke the opening words. For him the operetta summer is meanwhile "a pearl in the culture sky of Austria". The play took the audience to the Argentina of the 1930s. The stage presented itself as a tango venue. There many light-footed dance interludes took place, which provided for joy with the public. The main roles were played by Anna Brull as "Evita" and Benoit Pitre as "Juan Perón". Interesting was also the role of "Ché", played by Tiziano Edini, who led through the story partly narrating, partly singing. The authenticity of the musical was further enhanced by the fact that although it was sung in German, there was always a Spanish accent. In the interplay with the music of the orchestra, led by conductor Oswald Sallaberger, a firework of emotions could be ignited. María Eva Duarte de Perón began tinkering with her career at a young age. The woman from humble beginnings - called "Evita" by many - managed to climb the social ladder by first making a name for herself in the entertainment business. She gained international fame through her marriage to President Juan Perón. Nevertheless, throughout her life Evita was never without controversy. As much as she was adored by the poorer parts of the population, the aristocrats and leading military officers detested her even more. Her wish to become vice president of Argentina was denied. At the age of only 33, Evita died of cervical cancer on July 26, 1952, almost exactly 70 years ago.