“A nonchalant Erwin Schrott (baritone), a stormy Marlies Petersen (soprano) and a stunning Selina Ott, who does somersaults with her trumpet. Conclusion: A summer night dance over the rainbow! ” (Niederösterreichische Nachrichten) A splendid start to the open air season, full of pathos and tender whispers: every year the Midsummer Night’s Gala in Grafenegg strikes the most beautiful notes of the opera and concert repertoire. As the sun slowly descends behind the castle, the colourful sound of the Tonkunstler Orchestra ascends from the Wolkenturm, captivating listeners with its commitment and the best soloists from all over the world. In 2022, two important voices will be heard with the German soprano Marlis Peterson, who has gained international attention with her creative power, and the Uruguayan-Spanish bassbaritone Erwin Schrott, who will enchant listeners with his rich tone. These two international stars are joined by the young trumpet virtuoso Selina Ott, who is on the verge of conquering the world’s great concert halls.
The Vienna Christmas Concert from the Stephansdom
The festive concert from St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna spreads pre-Christmas mood with four well-known vocal soloists, the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the Vienna Symphony
Orchestra. The program under the musical direction of David Afkham includes sacred and solemn music from all over Europe, from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Charles Gounod’s “Sanctus” to the grand finale with Engelbert Humperdinck’s Evening Blessing from “Hänsel und Gretel”. At the end of the concert, the Christmas carol “Adeste fideles” is sung together.
150th Anniversary Wiener Staatsoper – Open Air Gala
The Vienna State Opera celebrates its 150th birthday with a glamorous open-air gala, gathering an extraordinary summit of operatic superstars like Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva, Swedish soprano Nina Stemme, French tenor Roberto Alagna, Uruguayan baritone Erwin Schrott or Italian bass Feruccio Furlanetto to name only a few. Together with soloists of the new generation of the house like sopranos Valentina Nafornita or Olga Bezsmertna – “a triumph for the ensemble” (Die Presse) – they present a firework of famous opera arias, accompanied by the Orchestra and Choir of the Wiener Staatsoper under the rousing baton of Maestro Marco Armiliato, a regular and appreciated guest at the Vienna State Opera. Nestled in the beautiful city centre, the State Opera is one of the most prestigous opera houses in the world with a long and significant history, a Mecca for international opera fans. Praised by critics as “mega event”, about 10,000 spectators came to witness this jubilee concert and celebrate musical passion in a fantastic atmosphere,
a feast for the ears and for the eyes.
Juan Diego Flórez & Vincenzo Scalera – The Salzburg Recital
The Salzburg Festival, where the world’s most famous artists come together, is always good for great concert experiences – and yet this unique concert is sure to go down in the annals of the festival. With a varied programme of popular Italian airs by Tosti and Leoncavallo, tender French songs by Henri Duparc and old favourites from Italian bel canto, the “Peruvian vocal miracle” (Die Presse) was an utter delight at his soldout lieder recital in the Grosses Festspielhaus. The first of the three encores brought for many the covert climax of the evening: Floréz plucked a guitar and accompanied himself in Consuelo Velázquez’ “Bésame mucho”. With infinite tenderness, gentle heights, heartfelt devotion and seemingly never-ending top notes, Floréz conquered every heart in the house, prompting storms of enthusiastic applause.
Red Ribbon Celebration Concert
Red Ribbon Gala Concert from the stunning Burgtheater Vienna presented by a unique cast of world-famous singers. —– PROGRAM: Johann Strauss: Intermezzo from Tausend und eine Nacht / Arrigo Boito: “Ave Signor” from Mefistofele / Camille Saint-Saëns: “Mon coeur s´ouvre à ta voix” from Samson et Dalila / Antonín Dvorák: “Beda, Beda!” from Rusalka / Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowski: Arabischer Tanz aus: Nussknacker-Suite op. 71a / Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow: Song of the Indian Merchant from Sadko; “Plenivšis’ rozoy, solovey” (The Nightingale and the Rose); Romanze op.2/2 / Georges Bizet: Intermezzo from Carmen Suite No. 1 / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture from Don Giovanni; “Deh, vieni alla finestra” from Don Giovanni / Georges Bizet: “Seguidilla” from Carmen / Charles Gounod: “Le veau d´or” from Faust / Astor Piazzolla (arr. Pablo Ziegler): Oblivion (Rojotango) / Franz Lehár “Lippen schweigen” from Die lustige Witwe / Aram Khachaturian: Dance of the Young Kurds from Gayane // Pablo Ziegler: Rojotango
Le Concert de Paris 2018
«Le Concert de Paris» is an exceptional event held each year on Bastille Day at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, as a prelude to the traditional July 14th fireworks display. Two of Radio France’s most prestigious musical institutions, the Orchestre National de France and the Radio France Chorus, under the baton of maestro François-Xavier Roth, propose a top-quality programme, giving pride of place to the voice and brings together some of the world’s greatest soloists, including Aida Garifullina, Joyce DiDonato, Philippe Jaroussky, Matthias Goerne, Patricia Petibon, Katia Buniatishvili and Renaud Capuçon.
Opera Gala Bonn
5th Opera Gala in Bonn, Germany for the German AIDS Foundation. PROGRAM: Arias and scenes from operas by Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Gounod, Beethoven, Delibes, Offenbach, Curtis, de Arditi, Johann Strauss.
Christmas in Versailles – Sonya Yoncheva
Sonya Yoncheva is the star of this Christmas concert at the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles. Accompanied by the Choir and Orchestra of the Opéra Royal of Versailles under the baton of Stefan Plewniak, Sonya Yoncheva performs popular carols from around the world. Works by Handel, Gounod, Puccini, Mascagni, Berlin, Adam and Mohr – can be heard while enjoying stunning footage of the various magnificent halls and gardens of the Palace of Versailles, with exclusive access granted to the Bulgarian opera diva.
Pretty Yende & Nadine Sierra – Women’s Day Concert 2023
Two sopranos among the rising stars in the field, Pretty Yende and Nadine Sierra, in a recital of arias and duets, accompanied by the Les Frivolités Parisiennes, conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti. A Women’s Day Concert 2023 filmed in the Philharmonie de Paris.
HAUSER and Friends
A spectacular performance from the world-famous ancient Roman amphitheatre, Arena Pula, Croatia. HAUSER performs his favourite classical compositions with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra with virtuoso guest appearances from Caroline Campbell, Lola Astanova, Petrit Çeku and Ksenija Sidorova.