LEO – short for Letztes Erfreuliches Operntheater (Last Enjoyable Opera Theater) – is a cult institution in Vienna, founded in 1993. LEO offers pure opera – presented in a scenic, humorous, and stylish manner. It's all about the joy of music and singing, and the audience is allowed to drink a glass of wine and hum along during the performance.

The repertoire ranges from operas such as Aida, La Bohème, and The Flying Dutchman to historical Jewish cabaret programs, musicals, Viennese songs, and Italian canzoni. The annual New Year's concert, which is unlike any other, is legendary.

L.E.O. - Letztes erfreuliches Operntheater - DE

Vienna's smallest opera house

The LEO is located in a former bakery dating from around 1900 at Ungargasse 18 in the heart of Vienna. Part of the premises can still be admired in its original condition today – with beautiful patina and old frescoes on the walls. With only 50 seats, it is Vienna's – perhaps even Europe's – smallest opera house. The orchestra is a grand piano, yet the small ensemble, which loves to play and improvise, does not shy away from bringing great performances to the stage.

A brilliant pianist also serves as master of ceremonies and guides the audience through the plot, even in English. The plot is sometimes even shortened. Why not leave out complicated subplots if they are musically dispensable? In return, the dedicated singers sometimes have to take on double roles.

The audience is not spared fromthe occasional bout of collaboration either, due to the lack of a large cast at the LEO in this case, the guests are briefly trained by the conferencier as a choir – on a voluntary basis, of course. There is hardly anyone who doesn't find this communal fun exhilarating.

Opera lovers who are curious about unconventional musical theater in a special and charming interpretation should not miss a visit to LEO in Vienna.