The Spectre’s Bride

THE SPECTRE’S BRIDE is a gripping ghost story that unfolds between longing, hope, despair, and terror—until the redeeming dawn. An orphaned girl waits for years for the return of her missing beloved, who finally appears to her as a bridegroom from hell, forcing her on a nocturnal ride to the cemetery. Passing decayed marshes, surrounded by will-o’-the-wisps and the howling of wild beasts, they race through the darkness until the first crow of the rooster and the first rays of the sun put an end to the haunting and set the bride free.

Antonín Dvořák’s operatic cantata THE SPECTRE’S BRIDE (1884) is based on the dark legend Svatební košile (literally: “The Wedding Shirts”) by Czech poet Karel Jaromír Erben. For the first time, this powerful work—rarely heard on stage—can now be experienced at Theater Hof in a concert performance featuring soloists, the opera chorus, and the Hof Symphony Orchestra. As a special highlight, internationally acclaimed sand artist Lana (Svetlana) Telbukh will bring the imaginative and emotional world of the legend to life through live sand animation.

Music Director: Peter Kattermann
Artistic Concept: Lothar Krause
Sand Animation: Lana (Svetlana) Telbukh
Chorus Master: Ruben Hawer
Dramaturgy: Alena Pardatscher
Assistant Conductor: N.N.

The Girl — Inga Lisa Lehr
The Dead Man — Minseok Kim
The Narrator — James Tolksdorf
Opera Chorus of Theater Hof
Hof Symphony Orchestra

Next show

Swiss Legends

Swiss Legends is a captivating 45-minute sand animation performance inspired by Swiss mythology and legendary figures, including the haunting tale of La Fée Noire du Jura. Created by sand-art virtuoso Lana Telbukh (Sand Elf), the show blends live music and narration into an immersive visual journey.
Each scene appears and dissolves in real time, transforming ancient Swiss stories into living images shaped from grains of sand.

Produced by Lunidea (lunidea.ch)
General Concept: Victoria Giorgini
Sand Animation: Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh
Narration: Guillaume Pidancet
Light Design: Illumination SA

A poetic tribute to Switzerland’s cultural heritage — magical, atmospheric, and unforgettable.

Metamorphosis of the soul

Philharmonic concert featuring captivating sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, presented by the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau under conductor GMD Leo Siberski.

The sand animation will enhance the Fourth Symphony, visually interpreting the emotional journey from darkness to light, with each musical phrase symbolizing liberation and triumph. The concert program includes Peer Baierlein’s Davids Bündler (commissioned work, world premiere), Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 performed by Ray Harada, winner of the 2024 International Schumann Competition, and Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120.

Le Landeron — 700 years

Le Landeron — 700 years of history brought to life through sand, light and voice.

On October 31 and November 1, a poetic 45-minute sand animation concert will be presented in honor of the anniversary of Le Landeron.
The story of the town unfolds through a fusion of live sand animation, narration, and atmospheric light design, creating a moving visual journey.
Every gesture becomes the breath of time, every line a memory, every spark of light an expression of gratitude.

Two performances each evening: 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Location: Le Landeron, Switzerland

Production: Lunidea (lunidea.ch)
Sand Animation: Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh
Narration: Victoria Giorgini
Light Design: Illumination SA

Le Landeron 700 Sand animation