Opera experiences for audiences with visual impairments

With Giacomo Puccini’s moving masterpiece “Madama Butterfly”, the Opera BURG GARS continues its inclusive cultural program in summer 2026, inviting audiences with visual impairments to a truly special opera experience. On July 28, 30, and August 1 2026, stage sets, costumes and other visual elements will be brought to life through detailed live audio description and a guided touch & explore tour.

Following the successful launch of accessible performances in previous years, Artistic Director KS Clemens Unterreiner has made it a priority to expand this offering. Unterreiner, who lost his sight suddenly as a child and found solace in classical music during that time, has been actively promoting cultural inclusion for many years as an ambassador of the Austrian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and through his non-profit organization Hilfstöne:
“It is very important to me that opera is accessible not only to a few, but to everyone. Art and culture must build bridges and actively practice inclusion.”

The technical implementation of the audio description in Gars is provided by the companies “Anke Nicolai – Audiodeskription” and “Audio2”. An experienced team of narrators will be on site for all three evenings, describing scenes and stage settings live and guiding the touch & explore tour. Blind and visually impaired guests only need their own FM receiver with headphones. Through an FM signal in the audience area, the auditory image description is transmitted – creating an immediate, multidimensional opera experience.

With this innovative format, the Opera BURG GARS shines as the first major Austrian summer festival to integrate such an inclusive offering into its program. Thanks to strong interest and the support of our partners and sponsors, live audio description is set to remain a permanent feature of the festival in the years to come.