Six members of the ballet ensemble, dressed in pink plush coats and pointe shoes, stand in the narrow stairwell of an industrial facility holding silver disco balls.
"Studio 54" | Karine de Matos, Gala Lara, Andrea Porro, Dafne Barbosa, Matteo Rondinelli
© SLT / Christian Krautzberger

Studio 54

Reginaldo Oliveira / Vincenzo Veneruso

World Premiere: 04/30/2026, Rehearsal Centre Aigen

Synopsis

The nightclub Studio 54 in New York City was known for its wild parties in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its extravagant atmosphere full of vibrant energy and its hedonistic spirit made the location the nightlife epicentre of the metropolis.

The guests, many of whom were celebrities, came to enjoy the music and go with the flow in a space that celebrated individuality and showmanship. The dancefloor of Studio 54 was a place of unhindered expression, a melting pot of fashion, music and personalities. Frequently dressed in daring, glamorous outfits, the partygoers swayed to pulsing beats in a colourful environment, and the glittering of the disco balls further enhanced their feelings of exhilaration. Thanks to its inclusive atmosphere, the club enabled people from all layers of society to come together and participate in the cultural revolution of the times.

Yet the careless exuberance which tested the very limits of arts, music and social norms also had its dark side. True to the slogan “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll”, patrons of the “modern Gomorrah” indulged in excessive permissiveness and ecstatic orgies. Studio 54 remained legendary even after it closed down in 1986.

At the rehearsal centre Aigen, two choreographers with very different styles will immerse themselves in this era of pop culture, whose zeitgeist was defined by dancing and fashion as much as by the iconic music itself, and will personally explore the phenomenon of “disco”.

Salzburg audiences have been familiar with Reginaldo Oliveira’s work as a choreographer for years. Especially his narrative ballets, such as “Othello”, “Anna Karenina” and “Romeo and Juliette”, were received with much acclaim. His latest successes include “Lili, the Danish Girl”, “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Frida’s World”.

Young choreographer Vincenzo Veneruso, a rising star from Naples, has lately attracted much attention at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. He has contributed choreographies to the International Ballet Gala in Salzburg and will now create his first piece for the ballet ensemble of the Salzburg State Theatre.

We offer introductory talks 30 minutes ahead of each performance.