Bad Ischl—synonymous with summer retreats, sophisticated spa traditions, and musical highlights—will once again become the Mecca of operetta in 2026. Under the artistic direction of successful director Thomas Enzinger, Austria's largest operetta festival invites guests to the air-conditioned and rainproof Kongress & TheaterHaus, the city's venerable spa house. Here, sophistication meets entertainment, tradition meets fresh wit, and the audience can look forward to unforgettable summer evenings full of charm, melody, and humor.

The season begins with a true triumph of operetta literature: Boccaccio by Franz von Suppè. The medieval city of Florence is thrown into chaos when the legendary poet Boccaccio outrages the venerable gentlemen of the city with his licentious novellas – and at the same time wins the hearts of the ladies. Love, humor, and amorous entanglements meet brilliant musical accompaniment that is brimming with sophistication, exuberance, and catchy tunes. The premiere on July 11 promises operetta artistry at its finest.

Boccaccio © Lehár Festival Bad Ichl

For the youngest theater fans, "Boccaccio for Children" on August 1, 2026, will be an interactive experience: conduct, sing along, dance along, and take a look behind the scenes of the operetta. Artistic director Thomas Enzinger will host the performance, in which all participants will waive their fees. Admission is free, and 100% of donations will go to Licht ins Dunkel. An experience that will delight everyone from 0 to 99 years old.
Just one week later, Countess Mariza by Emmerich Kálmán will unfold like a musical fireworks display of Hungarian flair. The eponymous countess escapes her admirers by means of a fictitious engagement, but the cheerful chaos takes its course when the invented baron suddenly appears to be very real. Fast-paced csárdás, unforgettable evergreens, and charming pop melodies make this premiere on July 18 a highlight of the season.

Countess Mariza © Lehár Festival Bad Ischl

New to the program is Franz Lehár's rarely performed gem Der Göttergatte (The Divine Husband). On August 14, audiences will experience a semi-staged premiere of this charming operetta, in which Lehár and his librettists bring Greek mythology to the stage. Jupiter, Mercury, and Juno mingle with mortals, and intrigue, seduction, and humorous emotional chaos are guaranteed—all framed by Lehár's imaginative, touching music.
Between the major operetta productions, the festival will celebrate its 65-year history with the gala concert "Ein Hoch der Operette!" (A Toast to Operetta!) on July 30. Grand emotions, rousing melodies, humorous interludes – the Franz Lehár Orchestra under Matthias Achleitner plays, the festival's singers sing, and Thomas Enzinger guides us through an evening full of glamour and joie de vivre.
Other highlights of the season are dedicated to music history and unusual perspectives on operetta: The matinee "Ein kleiner Slow-Fox mit Mary" (A Little Slow Fox with Mary) (July 26) honors divas of the 1920s whose careers were often interrupted by political circumstances, while "Damals im Radio" (Back Then on the Radio) on August 18 brings the pop music of the 1930s to 1970s to life. "Fräulein, bitte sind Sie musikalisch?" (August 23) shines a light on forgotten female composers such as Camilla Frydan and Henry Love, while the symposium "Song als Bühne" (August 21) reflects on the aesthetic and cultural significance of songs, operetta, and musicals.

The festival is rounded off by the exhibition "Giovanni Boccaccio in Life and on Stage" (July 11 to August 30), which highlights the Renaissance poet and his reception history in operetta and literature. Curator Marie-Theres Arnbom has put together a multifaceted accompanying program in cooperation with the Theater Museum and the Austrian National Library.
The Lehár Festival Bad Ischl 2026 promises operetta in all its facets—with heart, humor, historical references, and lively music-making. Here, traditions are cultivated, new perspectives opened up, and the audience taken on a summer journey through melodies, stories, and emotions. A festival that connects generations and celebrates operetta as a living art form.
July 11 to August 30, 2026
www.leharfestival.at