A recent performance at a German opera house featuring explicit lesbian sex scenes, piercing, and lots of blood caused 18 audience members to require medical treatment. The opera, titled Sancta, premiered at the Mecklenburg state theatre in Schwerin. Directed by Austrian choreographer Florentina Holzinger, the production shows naked nuns roller-skating on a half-pipe and a wall of crucified unclothed bodies. Some audience members felt sick or dizzy, with a few losing consciousness during the performance. Three individuals were treated by an emergency doctor. Despite the controversy surrounding the show, the theatre has continued to host planned performances, ensuring that viewers are taken care of professionally.
The opera Sancta is based on the 1920s opera Sancta Susanna, which tells the story of a nun facing her repressed desires. Audience members were warned of the explicit scenes, including lesbian sexual acts and self-harm, during the ticket purchasing process. While the theatre did receive criticism via social media and email, most of it likely came from those who did not attend the performance. The city dean for the Stuttgart catholic church, Christian Hermes, expressed concern over the impact of the opera on mental health. He described the production as celebrating “naive, not to say cheesy, sexual-spiritual dreams of redemption,” and suggested that people’s well-being was being intentionally toyed with by pushing aesthetic and psychological limits.
Despite the controversy and backlash, Hermes also expressed respect for the artistic radicalism of Sancta’s director, Florentina Holzinger. The director herself defended her production, stating that it was meant to challenge ingrained societal norms and beliefs. Holzinger’s work has been described as scandalous by some, but she views it as a means of highlighting the issues of violence, punishment, and abuse of power within society and religion. Meeting with the city dean, Holzinger emphasized the importance of pushing boundaries and addressing uncomfortable truths through her art. The director’s intention is to provoke thought and reflection, even if it means sparking controversy and discomfort.
While the opera’s graphic and controversial scenes have sparked debate and criticism, the theatre has continued to host performances as planned. Audience members over the age of 18 are still able to attend the show, which includes warnings about the explicit content. The well-being of viewers is a priority for the theatre, with trained visitor services personnel on hand to assist anyone who may become overwhelmed or distressed during the performance. The production of Sancta has raised questions about the limits of artistic expression, the role of challenging art in society, and the potential impact on mental health and emotional well-being. Despite differing opinions and perspectives, the opera has succeeded in sparking dialogue and reflection on these important issues.
