Around the World in 80 Days

Max loves to read. Now a book written over 150 years ago has captivated him: In 80 Tagen um die Welt by Jules Verne, known in English as Around the World in 80 Days. Not even Max’s girlfriend Josi can keep him from his reading, even though she feels he can’t escape into his own world in his attic forever. After all, reality is exciting enough, he should go with her to the important demonstration!

Yet Max gets so lost in his book that the characters suddenly come to life and he takes on a key role in the story: Phileas Fogg, the eccentric English gentleman, takes on Max as his servant. Fogg has spent half of his assets to circumnavigate the world in 80 days. Nowadays that would be no problem, but it was a huge undertaking 150 years ago.

Max, now named Passepartout, joins Fogg on an adventure into the past, visiting the Egyptian pyramids, India, Hong Kong and ultimately America. Sometimes they travel by train, other times by ship, even by elephant…

Yet Detective Fix, who believes Fogg to be a wanted bank robber, is hot on their trail. Fortunately, Fogg is aided not just by Max a.k.a. Passepartout, but also by the very clever Aouda, who ensures that the constantly cool and collected Fogg suddenly shows emotions…

This world-famous story that has often found itself on the big screen inspired English composer Jonathan Dove to craft a score that crosses the globe. Peter Lund wrote the libretto and is directing the piece. The result is a fast-paced family opera that takes a new, tongue-in-cheek perspective of a fascinating tale.

We are looking forward to presenting a new opera for the whole family on the big stage at Deutsche Oper Berlin.

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For the school performances on 3 December 2026 and 14 April 2027, we offer workshops for school groups to help them prepare for or follow up on their visit to the opera.

A production by Zurich Opera House. With generous support from the Förderkreis der Deutschen Oper Berlin. Presented by WALL