Der Rosenkavalier – Strauss

Der Rosenkavalier was first performed at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden on January 26th 1911. Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal imagined a brighter and gentler opera, close to Mozart's Spieloper. It was an immediate triumph. The opera is deeply human, full of tenderness and burlesque scenes, and behind the simplicity of its dialogues, it sensitively portrays human relationships and psychology.

The story takes place in Vienna, during the second half of the 18th century. The Feldmarschallin and Octavian are deeply in love, until this latter has to bring Sophie a rose, as tradition wants, because she is to be married to Baron Ochs auf Lerchenau. When he meets Sophie, they fall in love with each other; Sophie does not want to marry Baron Ochs auf Lerchenau anymore, and for her greatest pleasure, he is found with another woman, providing Sophie and Octavian with an excuse to fully live their love.

Stage director Harry Kupfer is back to Salzbourg, where The Black Mask was premiered in 1986, an opera which he has co-written and directed. His Rosenkavalier involves a casting of excellence; French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch, a specialist of Strauss's scores, is very familiar with the Salzburg Festival, where she notably sang in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos, broadcast live on medici.tv two years ago. She has been singing the role of Octavian for several years and in the most prestigious venues. Soprano Krassimira Stoyanova (The Feldmarschallin), is not only a world-renowned Opera singer, but she is also very well-known for her performances of Strauss's Lieder.

Conductor Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker for this performance of Der Rosenkavalier.

Picture: © Salzburger Festspiele / Monika Rittershaus.