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Bavarian State Opera Opens Season With Henze’s ‘The English Cat’ to Cool Applause

Christiane Lutz presents the seldom‑staged work as a human parable in the Cuvilliés-Theater under a buoyant reading from conductor Katharina Wincor.

Overview

  • The premiere on November 5 in Munich marked the house’s season opener in the Cuvilliés-Theater during partial renovations at the Nationaltheater.
  • Members of the Opernstudio led the cast, with Seonwoo Lee as Minette, Michael Butler as Lord Puff and Armand Rabot as Tom, conducted by Katharina Wincor.
  • Critics praised Wincor’s lively clarity and singled out several young singers for strong showings in the challenging score.
  • Multiple reviews reported balance problems in the small hall, noting orchestral volume that at times overwhelmed the developing voices.
  • Reports described a restrained audience response, even some departures at intermission, as the run proceeds with sold‑out November dates and further performances slated for January within broader Henze centenary programming in 2026.