The horrific costs for the renovation of the ailing Stuttgart State Opera have long been controversial. But with the war, gas crisis, inflation and new debates about renunciation, the pressure to justify the project increases. Are the cultural plans on the brink?
Stuttgart/Brussels (dpa/lsw) – The planned renovation of the State Opera in Stuttgart, which will cost billions, is shaky. Within the green-black state government, the project is sometimes clearly questioned in view of inflation and the looming energy crisis. As the German Press Agency learned from government circles, the CDU in particular considers the restructuring to be hardly communicable given the expected financial consequences of the crisis for the country and the people. In the meantime, there is also concentrated resistance to the expensive project in the CDU parliamentary group. But even in the finance ministry, which is led by the Greens, it is said that the question is at least being asked as to whether the restructuring should not be slimmed down.
“We have to act responsibly,” said CDU faction leader Manuel Hagel on Tuesday of the dpa. “In concrete terms, that means asking ourselves the question of whether the previously estimated costs of well over a billion euros are appropriate in a time of record inflation, the raw materials crisis and moderate financial policy.” The decision is carefully weighed – it can only be made on the basis of reliable data, facts and alternatives. “We therefore first need an up-to-date cost estimate and an in-depth examination of cheaper variants. The CDU parliamentary group stands “with all conviction for top culture made in Baden-Württemberg”, stressed Hagel at the same time. “Opera, ballet and theater belong to Stuttgart like the television tower. “
The state and the city of Stuttgart actually want to share the financing of the project. Whether the previous budget of more than one billion euros can be maintained is also being questioned. According to government circles, a doubling of the costs cannot be ruled out. First, “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” reported that the restructuring was being put to the test again because of the crisis.
“The current situation makes it necessary to check the affordability of any financial task,” said a spokesman for the community day. “This should now also be done with regard to the renovation of the opera.” Whether and how this test will affect implementation cannot be estimated.
The opposition FDP is also calling for thrift. “We welcome the fact that there are now voices in the coalition who consider the plans for the opera house renovation in Stuttgart to be outdated,” said the parliamentary group’s financial and cultural policy spokesman, Stephen Brauer. “We continue to call for a more realistic approach to the project.” The costs are almost incalculable at the moment. “And this at a time when representatives of the governing parties are flooding the media with appeals for renunciation. That doesn’t go together.”
Can the billions still be paid if swimming pools are closed elsewhere – at a time when politicians are calling on citizens to turn down the heating? Officially, those involved are sticking to the plans. “The times are complicated, but there is no reason to give up,” said Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Art Theresia Bauer on Tuesday to the dpa on the fringes of the foreign cabinet meeting in Brussels. “The general renovation is necessary and overdue,” emphasized the Green politician.
Without a doubt, the 100-year-old opera house needs a general renovation, and it’s bursting at the seams. Among other things, a modern so-called cross stage should make it possible to change the stage set faster and easier, more space is needed for rehearsal rooms, for example, the roof from 1911 is dilapidated and the gastronomy is no longer up to date. The directorship has also registered a larger usable area.
Bauer also considers slimming down the plans to be extremely difficult. “I don’t see that.” The working conditions are hardly bearable for the employees at the moment. Despite adverse circumstances in terms of occupational safety and fire protection, operations can only continue because the opera is still protected by existing regulations. “With the renovation, the statutory provisions must be complied with,” explained the minister.
“There are several good reasons for completely renovating the opera house in order to maintain its international appeal,” said Green Party leader Andreas Schwarz. “As an international flagship, a modernized opera house is of great importance for the entire country – as a place of work for the artists, for tourism, and as a location factor for recruiting skilled workers.” On Tuesday, the Greens parliamentary group cleared the way for the establishment of a project company and approved a corresponding cabinet proposal. “Now the detailed planning can begin!”
The city is also behind the plans. “The city has no doubts about the project,” said a spokeswoman for Mayor Frank Nopper (CDU) on Tuesday. However, she admitted that the project may now be more challenging than previously thought. But: “The necessity of the renovation is undisputed.” The renovation is overdue, without a building there are no corresponding performances. With a view to the fact that costs are difficult to estimate, the spokeswoman also referred to an extensive risk buffer in the current cost estimate. The next step is to set up a joint project company with the state.
