Rock me Amadeus

"The life story of a legend as a spectacular stage production; captivating choreography, dazzling costumes, and unforgettable songs – the FALCO musical is a tribute to the exceptional Austrian artist, honoring both the person and the artist Johann Hölzel."

Nearly everywhere people lived at the time, "Amadeus" was at the top of the charts during that crazy summer of 1985, which lasted almost nonstop until the spring of 1986. The song even reached number one in the UK and the US. A punk, a superstar, a virtuoso, a rock idol – this is how Johann Hölzel, known as Falco, describes the Salzburg composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in his number one hit, while unintentionally (or intentionally) offering a self-definition.

Born on February 19, 1957, to a young Viennese couple, "Hansi" was diagnosed with absolute pitch at the age of five. While the musical genius never lacked talent, the "free spirit" Hölzel certainly struggled with discipline. This weakness ran like a red thread through the singer-songwriter's turbulent life, marked by ups and downs that eventually contributed to his untimely death in 1998.

Rock Me Amadeus – The Falco Musical

Falco's extravagant personality, his extraordinary life, his tragic death, and his unforgettable music are the ingredients that make "Rock Me Amadeus – The Falco Musical" a dazzling homage. Written by Christian Struppeck, artistic director of Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, directed by Andreas Gergen, starring Moritz Mausser in the lead role, and featuring music producers Rob & Ferdi Bolland, along with many other top-notch contributors, the musical biography successfully captures the right mix of melodrama and tragedy – essential to the story of Austria’s most successful pop star to this day.

“Our musical is a tribute to the great Austrian world star, who remains an integral part of pop history. With our new VBW world premiere, ROCK ME AMADEUS – THE FALCO MUSICAL, we aim to honor Falco’s life in an extraordinary and authentic way. We want to bring his powerful music, as well as the sensitive artist and person Johann Hölzel, closer to our audience and reveal a very personal side of him. With my wonderful international creative team, some of whom were Falco's friends and companions, and our fantastic cast, this project is truly special. Hopefully, it will, in some way, revive Falco’s spirit.” – Christian Struppeck, VBW Musical Director.

„Out Of The Dark“ into the Spotlight!

The ambitious new production, which had its world premiere on October 7, 2023, at the Ronacher, has already attracted a million-strong audience. This audience has not only gained profound insights into the soul of Johann Hölzel but has also enjoyed the greatest hits of the artist Falco, along with the world premiere of four brand-new songs composed exclusively for this show by the original Falco composers and world-renowned Dutch music producers Rob and Ferdi Bolland.

"Having worked with Falco in the studio for many years, I can confidently say that this musical reflects his personality and legacy. I have poured my heart and soul into this wonderful production, and hearing my songs come to life is an exciting and sometimes very intense journey. Being part of this incredible team of international creatives makes me very proud." – Rob Bolland, Music, Lyrics & Creative Consultant.