The cult of youth is nothing new — it already existed in 1867, and Theodor Leschetizky made an opera out of it.
"Die erste Falte"
Steffen Laube has staged it: "On 14 November 2015 we wish to pay fitting tribute to Theodor Leschetizky. On this date, the 100th anniversary of the composer's death, the chamber opera Die erste Falte will have its first staged performance in roughly 130 years. For this occasion, the town of Gaggenau is providing us with its Jahnhalle and its wonderful Steinway model D grand piano. We are reopening this musical jewellery box — quite literally, for in our staging the singers emerge from an oversized make-up case that has lain in slumber long enough. Once awakened, the opera's cast can no longer be held back, and the comedy takes its course."