Walpurga – The Musical

Walpurgis in the Harz — Myth on the mountain stage

The Hexentanzplatz above the Bodetal in Thale is one of Germany's most mythical places. Heinrich Heine wrote about the Walpurgis Night in the Harz, Goethe immortalized it in his Faust. Here, on a natural rock plateau high above the Bode river, witches are said to gather every year on the night of April 30 to May 1. It is precisely in this place, at the Harzer Bergtheater Thale, that Walpurgis has been given a new form since 2025: as a contemporary open-air musical.

"Walpurga – The Musical", penned by Enrico Scheffler, caused quite a stir in its premiere season in 2025: it received the German Musical Theatre Award and the Saxony-Anhalt Tourism Award 2025 (Innovation category). The second season follows in 2026, from late June to mid-September.

A story between witch hunts and self-empowerment

The musical addresses the historical witch hunts, transforming the medieval Walpurga into a heroine caught between patriarchal violence, religious conflict, and self-discovery. The production does not shy away from difficult themes — psychological and physical violence, torture, sexual threat, and burning are depicted scenically. Visitors should familiarize themselves with the content beforehand.

The choreography makes full use of the natural rock formations of the mountain theatre. Lighting, pyrotechnics, and live music create an open-air experience that is unique in Germany.

A cast with vocal brilliance

In the title role is Senta-Sofia Delliponti, one of Germany's most distinguished musical singers. The role of Roma Annerose Malifix is played by Angelika Milster — a legend of German-language musical theatre, she was the first German Grizabella in Cats. The demon is played by Sebastian Rätzel, well-known to many as the singer of the band The Baseballs.

The Harz as a stage

The Bergtheater Thale is located in the Harz district in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is one of Germany's oldest natural theatres (built in 1903) and one of its most traditional open-air venues. Its location at 454 meters altitude, overlooking the Bodetal, creates the conditions for a special stage magic. Visitors often combine attending the musical with a day trip to Quedlinburg (UNESCO World Heritage site, 18 km away), a hike in the Bodetal, or a cable car ride up to the Hexentanzplatz.