Vienna, the world capital of music, is getting a spectacular addition to its cultural landscape: the new "Theater im Prater" is to be built by 2027, a project that is being realized by ATG Entertainment, the international market leader in theater entertainment, together with the City of Vienna and Wien Holding. With 1.800 seats, a top-class musical program and extensive economic significance, this project marks the largest privately financed theater project in Austria in a century. At a press conference held in the Museumsquartier in Vienna, City Councilor Peter Hanke, Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck, Dr. Kurt Gollowitzer (Managing Director of Wien Holding) and Joachim Hilke (CEO Europe, ATG Entertainment) presented the ambitious plans for this pioneering construction project. The planned location of the theater is in the traditional Prater, near the Messe-Prater subway station. A theater of international stature With an investment volume that is exclusively borne by ATG Entertainment, the theater is setting new standards in theater architecture. The architectural design is the responsibility of the Viennese office DTFLR in cooperation with the renowned London theatre architects Haworth Tompkins. The project management is in the hands of the international project management company Turner + Townsend, which is known for its expertise in large construction projects. The aim is to embed the theatre harmoniously in the historical ambience of the Prater and to create a modern, world-class venue. The theatre in the Prater is being positioned as a new cultural meeting place in Vienna. With its capacity of 1.800 seats, it is one of the most important venues in Austria. In the future, international musical productions of the highest quality will be presented here, which will not only enrich the local cultural scene, but will also establish Vienna as the musical capital of Europe.

On the evening of December 17, 2024, Vienna's Museumsquartier was transformed into a vibrant stage full of energy and passion. Yamato, the world-famous Taiko troupe from Japan, finally returned to Vienna after ten years. With their new production "Hinotori - The Wings of the Phoenix", the artists ignited a firework of sound, movement and emotions that deeply touched the audience and left them speechless. "Hinotori" tells the story of the mythical phoenix that rises from the ashes and serves as a symbol of courage, change and inexhaustible energy. This central message was brought to life with over 40 drums and a masterful staging of rhythms, choreographies and lighting design. Particularly impressive was the Odaiko, the largest drum in the show, weighing 500 kilograms. Its booming sound not only made the stage vibrate, but also the hearts of the audience. But Yamato is more than thunderous rhythm. Delicate moments, characterized by traditional instruments such as the shamisen (a three-stringed lute) and the chappa cymbals, complemented the powerful sounds and created a multifaceted soundscape. The alternation between intensity and lightness gave the performance depth and emotion. The artists behind the magic Yamato consists of eleven exceptional artists who demonstrate not only musical ability but also physical excellence. Under the direction of Masa Ogawa, the founder of the group, they combine traditional taiko art with modern theatricality. Ogawa emphasizes that although Yamato plays on traditional instruments, they consciously pursue a contemporary interpretation of the taiko art. The central figures include Kenta Ono and Jun Kato, who have been part of the group for more than twelve years.