An operating circuit and a method for operating a synchronous machine on a voltage supply network is disclosed. The operating circuit has a converter circuit with controllable converter switches and a controllable switching arrangement to switch the converter circuit between a start converter configuration and a direct converter configuration. The power supply network is connected to a converter output and the synchronous machine is connected to a converter input of the converter circuit. In the direct converter configuration, an AC voltage is provided at the converter output with a preset AC voltage frequency. In the direct converter configuration, the switching of the AC voltage between the converter input and the converter output takes place without intermediate rectification.