Van Dam, Annemieke/ Oede Kuipers
Musicalstars Singen Levay
On his 80th birthday, we are celebrating not only the incredible life's work of composer SYLVESTER LEVAY, but also the immortal melodies with which he has thrilled the musical world for decades. On May 18, 2025, Annemieke van Dam, Oedo Kuipers, Marjan Shaki, Barbara Obermeier, Lukas Perman, Drew Sarich, Mark Seibert, Willemijn Verkaik, and Anton Zetterholm celebrated the creator of your (and their) favorite songs: The sold-out Wiener Stadthalle - with a symphony orchestra and the support of the student choir of the University of Music and Performing Arts of the City of Vienna - was transformed into the most sought-after musical stage in the German-speaking world, where ELISABETH, MOZART!, and REBECCA could be experienced all in one evening. The gala concert was rounded off with excerpts from the star composer's lesser-known works: The audience could expect songs from LADY BESS and the Austrian premiere of the most beautiful songs from BEETHOVEN'S SECRET and MARIE ANTOINETTE. A special highlight was two moments from Levay's perhaps best-known work, ELISABETH, whose most beautiful melodies were compiled into a medley and - with the support of the "Queen of Sand," Irina Titova - experienced in a completely new way through live sand painting. The absolute hit from the most successful German-language musical of all time also served as Sylvester Levay's very own birthday serenade: With a new text specially composed by his fans, the entire audience sang "I belong only to myself" - by him, for him - in his honor at the end of this gala concert