March 4, 1963

I am number six out of seven children. Born in Baden, Austria
to my parents Elfriede (housefrau
and multitalented in washing
 diapers) and Erich (metalworker in the rubber industry).
Raised in Tribuswinkel
(702 feet above sea level) a small town
just south of Vienna.

 

 



As a child, I was not only a good pupil, but also technically talanted
and very interested in theatre. I constructed, designed and built
stage sets, made stage lights out of flowerpots, and most importantly,
cast myself as the main character.

 

1982


It is quite a challange to finish a degree in electrical engineering
while dreaming to become a singing and dancing musical performer.
I decided to begin ballet classes at age 18, not an easy step. 

 

Summer 1983


As a musical musical star-to-be, I wanted to at least stroll up
and down Broadway.
After a seven week stay in the US, I delayed my return trip home for 9 years...

since Autumn 1983


Earning my living as a waiter, I also did a some construtiction and
interior design work, while taking dance classes at the
Merce Cunningham Studio (scholarship), Alvin Ailey Studio,
and acting at HB-Studios with oscar nominee William Hickey.

December 1986


I debut at the Metropolitan Opera (Lincolncenter New York) in Tannhäuser
(Venusberg ballet) as an extra dancer....
wearing next to nothing!

 

until April 1992

For a total of five seasons, I perform at the Met as an extra dancer
and supernummery. Almost every night all the other big stars had
to share the same stage with me.

 

 

Summer 1992


Since I didn’t want to spent the rest of my life carrying spears –
even while wearing beautiful costumes and applauded by
4000 spectators every night – I moved to Zurich and joined
Marc Belforts Opera studio as Assistant Stage Director,
performing and assisting at the Opernhous
at the same time.
Henceforth, I live again in Europe.

1993/94

I take an engagement in Klagenfurt, Austria, as Assistant Stage Director,
there I meet Ansgar Haag, assigned artistic director of the Theater in Ulm,
Germany, as well as Klaus Rak, head of the opera department.

 

1994/95


Ulm contracted me as Assistant Stage Director. I also returned back on stage,
performing in several operettas, as well as choreographing the chourus in
other people’s productions.

 

February 8, 1996


Finally I am the Stage Director! The Bartered Bride is my first production.
Even though I have no influence on the look of the production since the
sets are purchased from another theatre, I am still the boss!
Marie is double cast, one of them is Angela Denoke.

 

October 31, 1996


With Andrea Hölzl and Annemarie Legenstein as my chosen designers,
I am finally able to work out my own ideas and concept for my next
production: Humperinck’s Hänsel and Gretel.
The production is conducted by the new first Kappelmeister of the
Ulm Theatre, Phillippe Jordan

 

1998


After my next production, Gluck’s Orfeo and Eurydice, I decided to quit
my engagement at the Ulm Theater to seek fame and fortune as a
freelance director
/producer.

August 19, 1998

I directed  „Enrico“  for the Klangbogenfestival Vienna at the
Semperdepot, a venue where also video clips for MTV are shot. For
the first time I staged contemporary opera. The “Wiener Presse“ names
it the best production of the entire festival.

 

1999


For four summers I worked as Assistant Stage Director for the
world’s largest floating stage in Bregenz at Lake Constance,
enticing 7000 spectators every night. I revived the
Richard Jones/Antony McDonald production of La Bohéme
and worked with Brain Large on the awarded television broadcast.

 

2001


Claes-Hakan Ahnsjö, familiar with my Ulm productions, invited me
to debut at the Royal opera House in Stockholm, to bring Hansel
and Gretel, after more than 50 years, back to that stage. The
circumstances were splendid and the result a major succsess.

 

2003


For the third time I directed Hänsel and Gretel, this time as a guest
professor with the students of the University of Music and Performing
Arts Vienna in the beautiful Schloßtheater Schönbrunn. Ever since then,
I am enjoying frequent teaching engagements.

 

2004


I joined the international faculty of CORSO ESTIVO PER GIOVANI
CANTANTI LIRICI at the scuola Italia in romantic
Urbania (west of
Pesaro,
Italy). The young students, mostly Americans, learn italian,
are coached in italian repertoire and get voice classes.
I teach body awareness, improvisation, acting, and scene study.

2005


For the first time I design, produce and direct events for NUWOG,
a building company: The Living Room Opera, followed by Architecture
and Arias, fearturing the janitor, Franz from Vienna (=me).  

 

January 12, 2006

MARTHA (Flotow) is the latest production I created for the Theatre in Ulm.
In the past 11 years, my 13 productions for that theatre
were shown 241 times. 

 

 

July 21, 2006


My shows have been seen in Germany: Ulm, Halle/Sale, Stralsund,
Greifswald
, Dortmund, Augsburg; Austria: Vienna
, Langenlois; Sweden:
Stockholm
, Poland: Danzig. My first Open Air Production for the
operetta festival, Schlossfestspiele Langenlois, Vienna opened in 2006.