Der Zwerg (The Dwarf)
Premiere performances: 18 and 21 February 2027 at the State Opera
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Thursday 18. 2.
19:00
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Tuesday 2. 3.
19:00
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Thursday 25. 3.
19:00
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Tuesday 30. 3.
19:00
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Basic information
The State Opera
LanguageIn German, surtitles in Czech, English
PremiereFebruary 18, 2027
Alexander Zemlinsky’s one-acter Der Zwerg (The Dwarf), inspired by Oscar Wilde’s tale The Birthday of the Infanta, takes place at the Spanish court.
Cast
Conductor
Donna Clara
Ghita
Don Estoban
The Dwarf
First Maid
Second Maid
Third Maid
Conductor
Donna Clara
Ghita
Don Estoban
The Dwarf
First Maid
Second Maid
Third Maid
Creatives
About
State Opera Chorus
National Theatre Opera Ballet
State Opera Orchestra
A party is thrown to celebrate the birthday of the 18-year-old Crown Princess. A Sultan has sent her a dwarf as a present – a creature endowed with a sensitive heart, yet doomed to nothing but providing entertainment. Never having seen his image in a mirror, the dwarf is not aware of his physical deformity and inhabits the illusory world of innocent self-confidence. Infatuated by the Infanta’s beauty, he falls in love with her and naively dreams of becoming her brave champion. The girl, however, merely only toys with the dwarf and gifts him a white rose – a symbol of purity and false hope. When the dwarf gets to see his reflection in a mirror for the first time, he is appalled, whereupon his delusional universe comes tumbling down. Heartbroken and clutching the white rose, he dies, while the Infanta’s party continues indifferently. The story lays bare the cruelty of the world of power and beauty, and the tragic discrepancy between the inner human value and outer semblance.
Zemlinsky composed Der Zwerg during his tenure at the Neues deutsches Theater (NDT) in Prague, where from 1911 to 1927 he served as director of the opera company. The work received its world premiere in May 1922 in Cologne, while the NDT only staged it four years later.
The opera was then revived in Prague almost 80 years later, in March 1992, when it was presented by Hilary Griffiths alongside another well-known Zemlinsky one-acter, Eine florentinische Tragödie. The new production of Der Zwerg has been undertaken by Ersan Mondtag, a major German director, renowned for his visually riveting sceneries, as well as the Music Director of the State Opera, the conductor Hermann Bäumer. Opera Ballet Vlaanderen
Co-production with the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance - currently for August 2026 – January 2027.
Sales always start on the 1st day of the month at 9am, except in January when pre-sales do not start until the 2nd day due to a public holiday.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the State opera
While visiting the State Opera, you can take the slip road on Wilsonova street from the left lane close to the State Opera building to the Parking Centrum above-ground garage. The parking fee is 60 CZK/h.
Buffets at the State Opera
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
Detailed information at divadelnicatering.cz/en.