Vienna State Opera: Philippe Jordan's graduation with mixed feelings!

Vienna State Opera: Philippe Jordan's graduation with mixed feelings!

On June 28, 2025, the grand finale of Richard Wagner's Ring tetralogy took place at the famous Vienna State Opera. This performance, conducted by Philippe Jordan, was not only the highlight of the season, but also an important moment for the conductor himself, who celebrated his last production as general music director here.

The performance presented a mixed picture. Critics noted that Jordan's musical clarity was marred by a certain aimlessness. This affected not only the performance of Wagner, but also other masterpieces by Mozart, Strauss and Verdi. On the last evening there were apparently difficulties in combining the music into a convincing whole, which was particularly noticeable in Brünnhilde's final song. The so often vaunted “magnificent miracle” moment could not be realized as planned.

Mixed reviews and emotions

The orchestral playing at the State Opera fell short of the usual standards. Technical problems such as imprecise brass instruments and unsynchronized interaction clouded the overall picture. Despite these challenges, the final applause found its way into the audience and was accompanied by cheers and flowers. The question remains whether the enthusiasm was to be understood more as a cultural-political expression of intent than as a consistently positive approval of Jordan's artistic achievements.

But the Vienna State Opera didn't just end the season with Wagner's work. In the previous weeks, Philippe Jordan had conducted the complete Nibelungen Tetralogy twice, focusing entirely on Wagner. In addition, the premiere of Tannhäuser another highlight on May 22, 2025. This production was Jordan's fourth new Wagner production at the State Opera and was directed by Lydia Steier.

A successful start for Tannhäuser

The premiere ofTannhäuserproved to be very successful musically. Critics highlighted the fine details and strong accents in Jordan's execution. Intimate emotional moments were well presented, and the choir under the direction of Thomas Lang was also convincing. The cast with Clay Hilley as Tannhäuser, Malin Byström as Elisabeth and Günther Groissböck as Landgrave Hermann, among others, ensured positive feedback on the direction and the singers' performances.

Philip Jordan's career at the Vienna State Opera may have come to an end this season, but his dedication to Wagnerian music and the poignant moments he created will surely remain in the audience's memory for a long time.