back to overview
 


Von der Befreiung zur Freiheit


A sensitive portrait of one of the most important eras of Austrian history – from Austria’s Allied occupation until the re-establishment of full sovereignty with the State Treaty in 1955. Erich Lessing portrayed politics as well as a new emerging society and the revival of the cultural scene in post-war Austria. Text contributions by well-known personalities like Gerd Bacher, Alexander Giese and Ludwig Steiner.



230 photos
A recording session of Mozart's "Don Giovanni",right:
conductor Karl Boehm;next to him Erich Kunz;behind
him George London; Sena Jurinac and at far left Anton Dermota.
Vienna,1955.
#55060329A

A recording session of Mozart's "Don Giovanni",right: conductor Karl Boehm;next...

Beethoven's "Fidelio" was performed at the reopening of the war-damaged Vienna Opera House on November 5, 1955. 
Karl Terkal as "First Prisoner": "Oh welche Lust, den Atem frei zu heben.."
#55060512

Beethoven's "Fidelio" was performed at the reopening of the war-damaged Vienna O...

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, reopened after extensive reconstruction on November 5, 1955.
The lit-up operahouse.
#550607 5

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, r...

Conductor Wilhelm Furtwaengler at the Vienna Opera.
#550609 7A

Conductor Wilhelm Furtwaengler at the Vienna Opera.

"Der Prozess" by Gottfried von Einem, after a novel by Kafka.
 Josef K: Max Lorenz.
#55061115A

"Der Prozess" by Gottfried von Einem, after a novel by Kafka. Josef K: Max Lor...

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, reopened after extensive reconstruction on November 5, 1955.
Two gentlemen on their way to the reopening performance of the Vienna Opera, Fidelio. Police keeps the onlookers in line.
#55061130A

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, r...

A performance of "Rosenkavalier" at the Vienna State Opera:
from l to r: Oktavian, Lisa della Casa; Sophie,Hilde Gueden;
Ochs von Lerchenau, Kurt Boehme; Faninal, Alfred Poell; Leitmetzerin, Judith Hellwig.
#55061133A

A performance of "Rosenkavalier" at the Vienna State Opera: from l to r: Oktavi...

Ball at the Vienna "Musikverein", the city's largest concert hall.
Banker Georg Zimmer-Lehmann with companion.
Vienna, 1955
#55061533A

Ball at the Vienna "Musikverein", the city's largest concert hall. Banker Georg...

Don Giovanni : Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Cesare Siepi as Donna Elvira and Don Giovanni.
#55061625

Don Giovanni : Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Cesare Siepi as Donna Elvira and Don Gi...

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, reopened after extensive reconstruction on November 5, 1955.
Dr. Fritz Meznik, chief of the Austrian Federal Press Bureau, ponders the seating order for the reopening performance: Beethoven's Fidelio.
#55062020

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, r...

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, reopened after extensive reconstruction on November 5, 1955.
Police restrain happy crowds who watch guests arrive for the opening performance: Fidelio.
#550621 2

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, r...

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, reopened after extensive reconstruction on November 5, 1955.
Final  briefing for the uniformed ticket-inspectors.
#55062128

The Vienna Opera House, damaged by bombs during the last days of World War II, r...