Der Zauberberg

“Then, like a thunder-peal – 


But God forbid and modesty withhold us from speaking over- much of what the thunder-peal bore us on its wave of sound! Here rodomontade is out of place. Rather let us lower our voice to say that then came the peal of thunder we all know so well; that deafening explosion of long-gathering magazines of passion and spleen. That historic thunder-peal, of which we speak with bated breath, made the foundations of the earth to shake; but for us it was the shock that fired the mine beneath the magic mountain, and set our sleeper ungently outside the gates. Dazed he sits in the long grass and rubs his eyes – a man who, despite many warnings, had neglected to read the papers.” 


That “thunder-peal” is World War I. It rips Hans Castorp out of his seven-year “enchantment” in a pulmonary sanatorium in Davos, out of the ivory tower of an outmoded European bourgeoisie, out of his self-optimisation process in an “atmosphere of death and amusement”. Where just moments before he had been dining with two Armenians, two Finns, an Uzbek Jew and a Kurd at the “bad Russian table”, he now suddenly finds himself lurching into the trenches of Europe. Thomas Mann’s novel about these seven prewar years – which, like its protagonist, seems to hold the events occurring in the “lowlands” at arm’s length – describes the “acute irritability” preceding this European and global wildfire. Bastian Kraft directs a compact cast in this production of one of Thomas Mann’s main works, after having previously directed Klaus Mann’s MEPHISTO, also at the Burgtheater.

program

Der Zauberberg
von Thomas Mann

Place

Wiener Burgtheater – The Stage of Great Drama and Timeless Classics

The Wiener Burgtheater, often referred to as Austria’s "first stage," is one of the most prestigious and influential German-speaking theaters in Europe. Founded in 1741, it has shaped the theatrical landscape for centuries, standing for artistic excellence, literary classics, and contemporary productions.

Located on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a place where great playwrights such as Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Arthur Schnitzler, Thomas Bernhard, and Elfriede Jelinek come to life through groundbreaking performances. With its renowned ensemble and innovative direction, the theater masterfully combines tradition with modernity, captivating thousands of theatergoers every year.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U2 – Rathaus station (approx. 5-minute walk)

Tram:

• Lines 1, D, 71 – Rathausplatz/Burgtheater stop
• Lines 2, 46 – Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring stop

Bus:

• Line 13A – Theater in der Josefstadt stop (approx. 10-minute walk)

Thanks to its prime location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is easily accessible by public transport.

Burgtheater Vienna – Where Theater Comes to Life at the Highest Level

With its stunning productions, world-class ensemble, and rich history, the Burgtheater Vienna is the beating heart of Austria’s cultural scene and an absolute must for those who love the magic of theater.