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Bavarian State Opera Opens Season With Henze’s The English Cat at the Cuvilliéstheater

The Cuvilliéstheater run marks the company’s entry into its Henze centenary focus during Nationaltheater renovations.

Overview

  • Christiane Lutz stages the rarely performed Henze–Bond satire with the Münchner Opernstudio in a 1960s/70s visual concept that avoids animal masks.
  • Katharina Wincor conducts the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, with several reviews faulting excessive volume and balance problems in the small venue.
  • Young cast members drew notice, with Seonwoo Lee (Minette), Armand Rabot (Tom) and Michael Butler (Lord Puff) singled out for strong turns.
  • Critical and audience reactions were restrained, and multiple reports noted muted applause and some departures during the interval.
  • The premiere inaugurates the house’s 2026 Henze centenary programming, with further tributes planned in Munich, including BR-Symphonieorchester under Simon Rattle.