Vraag direct vrijblijvend boekingsinformatie aan voor Opus of bel met 024-397 5174 / 020-636 1111. Boekingsinformatie aanvragen
Opus bookings
Are you interested in booking Opus for an event or festival? Please contact us for further information. We are happy to advise you about options and possibilities.
Who are Opus
The band Opus was formed in 1973 in its basic version: Kurt Rene Plisnier (keyboard), Walter Bachkönig (bass), and Ewald Pfleger (guitar). At that time Opus was a typical garage band which met for regular sessions. Besides practicing covers from Deep Purple and Colloseum, they practised their first compositions as well, ‘Opus Null’. They were showing rock versions of ‘Die Kleine Nachtmusik’ and ‘Der Säbeltanz’.
This was the repertoire for their first concerts in Burgenland and in Styria. Günther Grasmuck on drums takes the band closer to the specific Opus-sound. Hans Palier joins the band for 6 years before he changes over to The White Stars. At that time they received their first award at the Styrian Band Contest. In 1978 Opus organizes the remarkable Austrian Rock Festival which became an institution. Also in that year Herwig Rüdisser is found as the result of an advertisement, and the typical sound of Opus is born.
The first record contract
In 1980 Opus records the first album. They produce their first album ‘Daydreams’ with Peter Janda in Hilpoltstein, Germany, which appears on Phonogram. ‘Daydreams’ is the first and the last album which still has affinity to classical music. In 1980 Niki Gruber replaces Walter who decides to do classic.
Increasing success
In 1981 Opus works with the Star Producer Peter Müller, which turns out to be extremely creative. ‘Eleven’ brings the first Gold record to Opus. The singles ‘Eleven’ and ‘Flying High’ become top hits in Austria. With Christopher Cross and Lou Reed they have a concert at the Arena di Verona. In 1982 Opus received the Austrian Journalists Prize for ‘Eleven’. Later that year Opus present the concept album ‘Opusition’. In 1983 more than 1100.000 enthusiastic fans come to Opus in 65 concerts. Their records are available in Germany, Switzerland, the Benelux States, Sweden, Italy und Singapore. In 1984, after three months of working with Peter Müller in the studio on ‘Up and Down’, the fourth album is released. The characteristic choir of Opus is hired by Falco for his Album ‘Junge Römer’.
The Hit – Life is Life
In 1984 Opus celebrates their 11th anniversary at the Stadium of Oberwart with thousands of fans. Opus dedicates the song ‘Life is Life’ to them. ‘Life is Life’ becomes number 1 in the Austrian Charts and goes around the world in 1985 and 1986. Opus is present in TV-shows such as ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘Solid Gold’ (MTV). They give concerts in Ibiza, Turkey, in Central America and South America. The Juno Award (Canada) for the best single production of the year goes to Opus. They received several awards around the world, even in South America.
Opus International
In 1987 the seventh album ‘Opus’ is released in Austria, Germany and The Netherlands. It is produced by Eddy Offord, Peter Müller and Ewald Pfleger. After ‘Life is Life’, ‘Whiteland’ becomes one of their biggest hits. A huge amount of the royalties was transferred to Greenpeace. On New Year’s Eve, Opus did a commercial for the Olympic Games in Calgary. The single ‘Faster and Faster’ became the favourite song of the Austrian Athletics. In 1989 Erwin Musper, the producer of ‘Wind Of Change’ for the Scorpions, was engaged for the album ‘Magical Touch’. ‘When The Night Comes’ is the fourth video, produced by Dolezal & Rossacher. The single ‘A Night In Vienna’ is a tribute from Opus to the Viennese Waltz.
Opus Restart in the 90’s
1991: A new record company and new management.
1992: Bass player Niki leaves the band and Ewald Pfleger produces ‘Walking On Air’.
1993: Opus performs at the Vienna Ball during the Midem in Cannes. They celebrate their ‘Twenty Is A Plenty’ Jubilee at the Grazer Orpheum. They also record live the album ‘Jubilee’.
1996: The song ‘Just For Fun’ is released as first single of the CD ‘Love, God & Radio’. The philosophy of this new creation is a combination of the sounds of the sixties and the well known Opus ingredients. These are blended to the particular Live Band-sound of Opus.
1997: The single ‘Hands In The Air’ is released. Opus play at different TV-shows in Germany and Austria and a big live event in Gorkipark, Moscow.
1998: The song ‘Viva Austria’ is written for the Austrian Football team at the World Championship in France and sells 30.000 copies in Austria.
