Summer longings: The greatest day by the Potsdam water!

Summer longings: The greatest day by the Potsdam water!

On June 14, 2025, the Hans Otto Theater in Potsdam starts the new season and opens "The greatest day" with Peter Turrini's gripping folk. Under the direction of Adriana Altaras, the seaside stage becomes the setting for a musical summer performance that shines with an appealing backdrop. The stage is decorated with Spanish elements, including lemon and orange trees as well as a neptune fountain that give the ambience a special charm.

In this critical adaptation of Beaumarchais' "The Great Day or the Wedding of the Figaro", the plot around the servant Figaro, who is about Susanne shortly before his wedding, is raised to a new, dramatic level. Unlike in the original, where the wedding shapes a happy atmosphere, Figaro is confronted with a brutal outcome at Turrini. The Count Almaviva, who wants to torpedo the wedding to approach Susanne himself, sends his intriguing Bazillus, which leads to an exciting game of the intrigue.

The staging and its elements

Adriana Altaras has proven a fine feeling for the staging. While the brutal output of the piece at Turrini is in the foreground, a somewhat more conciliatory view is chosen in Potsdam. Instead of the cruel murder on the count, the characters finally throw him out of the window into the lake, where he appears surreal as a maid. This element brings a touch of comedy to history, which is more than just one summer.

In the staging, the music, played live by the pianist Rita Herzog, is played as a central element, with predominantly Mozart works sound. The successful combination of music and dialogue ensures humorous allusions and makes the performance a cheerful experience that addresses the conflict between servants and rulers. The central question of freedom, justice and the rebellion against arbitrariness is skilfully treated.

special features and outlook

The audience can be happy that even the former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is sitting in the audience with his wife and experiencing the premiere. This presence underlines the importance of the piece not only for culture in Potsdam, but also beyond. The acting achievements of Philipp Stix as Figaro and Lena Antonia Birke as Susanne promise a gripping experience, while the unfortunate countess and the role of the count with his intrigue further heat up the tension.

The play has already caused a sensation in Vienna, where it celebrated its premiere in the Scala with a slightly different staging. Turrini has subjected Beaumarchais' work to a critical exam, which leads to the creation of new tension moments. His processing, which was enthusiastically recorded in Vienna, shows that the topics are also highly topical today.

This is how the spectators in the Hans-Otto Theater can expect a cheerful, musical summer entertainment with "The greatest day" that not only awakens emotions, but also stimulates thought. With a mixture of intrigue, feelings and a lot of humor, there is a varied theater evening on the program.