From 25 May until 11 June the Opera organizes the Strauss150 Festival to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Along with the popular pieces on the repertoire, the Opera presents a premiere: Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) is directed by János Szikora. Besides the operas, a symphonic concert compiled from works by Strauss can be heard. It features internationally acclaimed soprano Ricarda Merbeth.

May celebration:

The aim set by the new management of the Opera almost three years ago in September 2011 is fulfilled during this festival. The jubilee year will see the six most significant operas by Richard Strauss put on stage. Salome has been a popular piece with audiences for years along with Balázs Kovalik's emblematic Elektra. In recent years new productions have been added. Now all these can be seen twice with a festival cast and international stars. The festival begins with the premiere of Die Frau ohne Schatten, which can be seen four times. Before the closing performance, a brand new statue of Strauss by Sándor Kligl will be unveiled.

Programme of the Strauss150 Festival:

Die Frau ohne Schatten: 25, 28, 31 May, 4 June – Conductor: Péter Halász, Director: János Szikora
Arabella: 27, 30 May – Conductor: Günter Neuhold, Director: Géza Bereményi
Salome: 29 May, 1 June – Conductor: Pinchas Steinberg, Director: János Szikora
Ariadne auf Naxos: 3, 7 June – Conductor: Domonkos Héja, Director: Ferenc Anger
Der Rosenkavalier: június 5., 10. – Conductor: Jun Märkl, Director: Andrejs Žagars
Elektra: 8, 11 June – Conductor: Stefan Soltész, Director: Kovalik Balázs 
Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra Symphonic Evening: 9 June – Conductor: Pinchas Steinberg

All the operas by Strauss are surtitled in English.