The first "Lohengrin" in the history of Taiwan: Sabine Hartmannshenn's production of the German Opera on the Rhine.

September 3, 2025 by Stephan Knies

Tomorrow, the German Opera on the Rhine presents Lohengrin in Taiwan. This is more than an opera performance – it is the extension of music business into the world's largest cultural center.

Lohengrin has traveled far. From Montsalvat in the sky (or at least Montserrat at Barcelona) to Brabant – I get it. But now also from Düsseldorf to Taiwan. To travel this path by water is possible for a swan and its boat, but still somewhat cumbersome – especially, since the ensemble of the German Opera on the Rhine, including guests, and the entire stage sceneries and theatrical costumers also accompanied the Knight of the Grail on his journey. Uwe Kocur, the technical director, Volker Weinhart, lighting master, and Dirk Busse, stage Inspector, are also part of this trip to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect for the premiere. Thus, this is a performance of Lohengrin from North Rhine-Westphalia in the subtropics? Precisely! There will be even four performances, all will be staged in the almost brand new and impressive National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts in the south of the island.

One Opera, Two Casts

We know the concept behind it: A European production travels to a country with less cultural infrastructure, such as studios, professional choir, or even a regular opera audience, and will be newly rehearsed there, mostly also by including local female and male artists. There are three stages for musical theater in Taiwan, but there is neither a permanent vocal ensemble, nor an opera house orchestra. Main attraction and highlight is according to one of the buildings – the grand opera house in Kaohsiung inaugurated in 2018. It is part of the Weiwuying complex built for the second largest city of the country by Francine Houben, the Dutch architect.

Wen-Pin Chien is the conductor of this version of Lohengrin, he has already musically directed this production by Sabine Hartmannshenn as music director in Düsseldorf. But above all, he is the creative mind, networker, and tireless development worker for musical theaters and the complete range of the cultural complex which accommodates not less than 6,000 seats in four halls for various purposes, plus an open-air amphitheater. Each year, he presents a concert or half-staged performance of an opera to his audience, followed by a fully staged production – thus, aforementioned Lohengrin now in September.

The creative mastermind: Wen-Pin Chien, the conductor

The cast from Düsseldorf and the one from Taiwan will take turns to sing the four performances (premiere is tomorrow). This means plenty of rehearsal work for the conductor who not only scheduled five weeks of rehearsal for success, but flew in the director herself – and additionally Julia Langeder who had been assistant director at the German Opera on the Rhine for a long time, and has long since been staging productions on her own.

Largest Cultural Center of the World

Both ladies are fully occupied. Because this opera by Wagner is a big challenge for female and male singers from Taiwan (the so-called "B-Cast"): There is no opportunity in the country to have one's voice develop through a permanent musical theater company, such us starting with Mozart and Strauss and progressing to Wagner; thus, everything will be kicked "into high gear" immediately, including all problems involved therewith. The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra too, orchestra of the company group of the logistics giant of the same name, and presumably the best ensemble in the country, will have to acquire the flexibility needed for operas.

The world's largest cultural center: National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) in Taiwan 

The Taipei Philharmonic Chorus is an amateur choir – but it tackles its task with admirably thorough preparation, great precision, and endless enthusiasm. Of course, it would be much easier to perform The Magic Flute, or The Elixir of Love. But Wen-Pin Chien wants to offer grand opera to his audience, as well as to local professionals and promising talents: Only when you think big, you will achieve great things – "I dream big" is written as his motto on the homepage of the ministry of culture.

Swan with a Mission

For a German opera house, such as the German Opera on the Rhine, Chien's initiative is attractive in many ways: Global interconnectedness automatically also creates international visibility, stage design and costumes will be given a second life after a successful period in the own opera house – and its own ensemble can also enjoy something else during their visit in Taiwan: amazing hospitality, long stay at the same location untypical for a tour, fabulous food influenced by Chinese and Japanese cuisine, and magnificent nature quite close to the metropolises Taipei (where most of the rehearsals took place) and Kaohsiung (where the performances will be staged). Both cities are located by the sea and provide a high quality of life– Lohengrin's swan would like this. Knocking on wood!

Transparency Notice: Stephan Knies came to Taiwan at the invitation of the Weiwuying Center in Taiwan.

《Backstage Classical》https://backstageclassical.com/i-dream-big/