For the first time, the summer CASTLE FESTIVAL will present two (rather than just one) productions for you to experience in 2009. Directly near Germany’s Federal Garden Show, the “BUGA”, which will be held this year in Schwerin, Mozart’s most famous opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) will be presented between 26 June and 31 July. From 8-30 August Sorbas (Zorba the Greek), the world-famous musical by the creators of the smash-hit “Cabaret”, will be staged. The title role of Zorba will be performed by Gojko Mitic, the legendary actor in film (Defa’s American Indian movies) and on stage (“Winnetou” in the long-running Karl-May-plays in Bad Segeberg).

Opening: 26 June 2009 at the Alter Garten Musical Director: Judith Kubitz
Stage Director: Arturo Gama
Sets: Olaf Grambow
Costumes: Bettina Lauer
Chorus Master: Ulrich Barthel


The plot:
For Prince Tamino, it is love at first sight when three mysterious ladies give him a picture of the beautiful Pamina. He learns that Pamina is the daughter of the Queen of the Night and has been abducted by Sarastro, Lord-of-the-Sevenfold-Suncircle. Undaunted by the dangers involved, Tamino immediately decides to rescue Pamina. The happy-go-lucky, funny bird-catcher Papageno is to accompany him. ‘Armed’ with a magic flute and enchanted silver bells, the two set off on a dangerous journey. Along the way, they face many obstacles and trials, until Tamino is finally allowed to embrace his Pamina. Papageno also finds his true love, Papagena, who seems to have been made exactly just for him.

Opening: 8 August 2009 on the Alter Garten Conductor: Thomas Möckel
Stage Director (Producer): Peter Dehler
Sets: Olaf Grambow
Costumes: Bettina Lauer


The plot:
With natural force Alexis Zorba breaks into the world of Nikos and tears him out of his frustrating teaching job at Athens University. On the island of Crete, Nikos has inherited an abandoned copper mine, which the two men now set out to reactivate together. When they arrive, they find the dilapidated mine is not the only deadly dangerous item there: the nearby village that longingly awaits the new boss appears to be everything but a bucolic idyll. When the two men rent rooms from the disreputable Madame Hortense, Zorba starts an affair with her. When love develops even between Nikos and a widely-desired young widow, a volcano of archaic passions erupts, threatening to burn everyone up. So, what does Zorba do when all is lost? He dances!