Audiences and Press Applauded Ronja Räubertochter

“A Perfect Children’s Musical.” (Die Presse, September 22, 2026)

“The music by Kyrre Kvam, conducted by Maayan Franco, combines a rich orchestral sound with vocal lines tailored to musical theatre voices (orchestration: Keren Kagarlitsky). At the heart of the score is Ronja’s song, which returns in the finale as a heartfelt tribute to nature, culminating in a radiant final chord. The best indication of how captivating the production was: the children in the audience remained completely absorbed in the story and music for more than 90 minutes.” (Kurier, September 21, 2026)

“Brilliantly brought to life as a stage fairy tale about emancipation, nature, and friendship. Bold, almost minimalist, yet highly effective in its staging.” (Katerina Pantok, @not.only.k, Instagram)

“When the atmosphere in the auditorium is like a rock concert, questions from the stage are answered spontaneously and at full volume by the audience, and musical numbers are drowned out by cheers, it’s children’s theatre time at the Vienna Volksoper.” (APA, September 20, 2026)

“In Monika Rovan’s beautiful set, featuring striking paper-cut-style illustrations, the Mattis gang and the Borka robbers are joined by fairytale creatures. Director Ruth Brauer-Kvam transforms all of this into a lively, enchanting, and wonderfully imaginative family production with music. The melodies are instantly catchy, getting both young and old audiences swaying along.” (Die Presse, September 22, 2026)

“With this production, the Volksoper got everything right. The final applause from both young and young-at-heart audience members was enthusiastic and thunderous.” (Die Presse, September 22, 2026)

“Opening-night cheers for everyone involved, including the Volksoper Orchestra under the direction of Maayan Franco.” (Der Standard, September 22, 2026)

 “From Nordic rumpelpop and classic musical numbers to tender trios, the new Ronja has something for everyone – including some wonderfully cheeky robbers’ choreography.” (APA, September 20, 2026)

“With Hannah Severin as the lively Ronja and Eike Onyambu as the graceful Birk in the lead roles, the production delivers plenty of high-quality feel-good entertainment.” (Kronen Zeitung, September 21, 2026)

“Hannah Severin sweeps onto the stage with an energy that’s impossible to resist. A true force of nature, she is perfectly cast as Ronja. Jürgen Maurer, familiar from television, is instantly endearing as Ronja’s father Mattis. (…) As Ronja’s mother Lovis, Rebecca Nelsen sings beautifully, delivering her pointed digs at the men with impeccable timing and winning us over completely. Eike Onyambu is captivating as the tender and sensitive Birk. (…) Daniel Ohlenschläger makes a commanding Borka leader, with Ursula Pfitzner equally impressive at his side as the red-braided Undis. Reini Moritz is an excellent narrator. And a real stroke of genius is beatboxer Georg Haselböck, who creates the production’s entire, wonderfully varied soundscape live on stage.” (Die Presse, September 22, 2026)