Austrian ski resort Sölden is to again stage its epic production ‘Hannibal’ on its glacier where it the World Cup Alpine Ski Tour kicks off each October
The show, sponsored by Red Bull and themed on the famous Carthaginian crossing of the Alps in 218 BC, along with an army 60,000 people and 36 elephants strong, was first staged in 2001 and takes place every 2 years.
Sölden use piste bashers, airplanes, dancers, helicopters and extreme athletes to put on the huge show 3,000 metres above sea level.
This “life story” of tragic hero Hannibal forms the narrative backbone of the Sölden show created by local man Ernst Lorenzi. The spectacular show in a 6 cubic kilometres see piste bashers become elephants, hundreds of skiers and paragliders illuminate the horizon and merge with Frank Lischka ’s spectacular light to create a real immersion.
Carefully choreographed, meticulously staged and perfectly organized by director Hubert Lepka , over 300 actors appear on a stage made of ice and snow, the weather plays its own role, the mountain railways provide transport and food and an unforgettable experience.
It’s “A show that cannot be compared to anything, probably the greatest contemporary performance in the world,” a Sölden spokesperson said.
The performance can be seen by up to 8,000 people at a time and around 75,000 spectators have gathered to see it since 2001 to follow the Carthaginian’s coup live and with all their senses.
The 2024 show is on 5th April.
