The beautiful, historic Teatro Olimpico in Vincenza is the ideal backdrop for this nostalgic production of Don Giovanni, conducted and directed by Iván Fischer. The settings for the opera emerge seamlessly from the beautiful architecture of the theatre as well as the young dancers of the Iván Fischer Opera Company who transform their bodies into buildings and furnishings. Andrè Schuen plays a sensual and charming Don Giovanni with a bold voice. Luca Pisaroni is an “outstanding” (FAZ) Leporello at his side: “The master-servant dynamic between the two has rarely been interpreted so beautifully” (Oper!). The sound from the pit is “clear, mellow and rich in dramatic accents (…) Thunderous applause!” (GDV). “Now that’s opera” (FAZ)
L’Orfeo
Iván Fischer conducts and stages Monteverdi’s opera L’Orfeo at the stunning Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. Fischer has reconstructed the original ending by composing the music himself, based on the libretto of the first performance of the opera called La favola d’Orfeo. The splendid cast, among them young Hungarian soprano Emoke Baráth and Baroque specialist Núria Rial is accompanied by the excellent playing Budapest Festival Orchestra. “Absolutely worth seeing and listening to“ praises Neue Musikzeitung.
St. Matthew Passion
The double choir is the essential musical aspect on which Iván Fischer’s interpretation of Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion is based. Only by consistently seizing on that duality will all the complementary layers stand out as they should. He describes this essential fundamental aspect as follows: ‘You can’t do the St Matthew in an unreligious way. The only approach is from a deep, universally religious feeling.’ Anyone the least bit familiar with Fischer knows that this won’t simply be a repeat performance; he is sure to go even deeper.
RCO: Fischer conducts Mozart, Rossini and Haydn
Iván Fischer conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in a varied classical programme with Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and two lively overtures by Rossini in the exceptional acoustics of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Introducing each of the two parts of the concert, the overtures to L’Italiana in Algeri and La gazza ladra set the tone with elegance and lightness. “With Iván Fischer, Haydn and Rossini allow the leading orchestra of the Netherlands to show off its finest skills” praises ResMusica. The heart of the first part is devoted to Mozart’s masterful Sinfonia concertante for violin and viola, played by two world-class artists: Isabelle Faust, one of the most outstanding violinists of our time, and Tabea Zimmermann, artist in residence this season with the Concertgebouw orchestra, offer a majestic duo.
Wiener Philharmoniker: Ivan Fischer conducts Mahler & Haydn
Leading the Wiener Philharmoniker in a traditional subscription concert for the very first time, conductor Ivan Fischer presents Haydn’s rarely heard Sturm und Drang symphony “with great sensitivity, encouraging the Philharmonic to play with transparency and delicacy” (Die Presse), before delving into Mahler’s Lied von der Erde with renowned soloists Tanja Ariane Baumgartner and Daniel Behle. PROGRAM Haydn: Symphony No. 52: Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
BBC Proms 2018: Iván Fischer conducts an Hungarian Night
Hungarian folk tunes run through the veins of Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, while Gypsy rhythms set their pulses dancing. This concert – a true celebration of Hungary’s national music – traces the development of folk songs and dance, from their colourful, rough-hewn originals into virtuosic concert-hall reimaginings by Liszt, Brahms and Sarasate. In the second half comes Brahms’s dramatic First Symphony, whose darkness and drama eventually give way to an ending of transcendent musical triumph.“A masterclass. Oh, that concerts could all be like this!” (The Spectator) PROGRAM Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1 & 3; Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 1 & 11, Symphony No 1; Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen
RCO: Iván Fischer conducts Beethoven – The Complete Symphonies
Starting in 1922, the Concertgebouw Orchestra performed a Beethoven cycle at the end of each season, during which all the symphonies – and other works too – would be performed, often in quick succession. The cycle was interrupted for the first time in 1957 for three performances of Beethoven’s Missa solemnis. The tradition then began to dwindle, with the last Beethoven Series performed in 1978. Now for the very first time, the orchestra will be performing all the symphonies in a single cycle, spread out over two seasons, under the direction of Iván Fischer. Approx. 06:00:00.
RCO: Mahler No. 4
After the two famous Mahler festivals in 1920 and 1995, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam is now presenting a special twoseason Mahler series, which includes ten large-scale symphonies plus ‘Das Lied von der Erde’, performed in chronological order by the world’s greatest orchestra under the direction of great conductors – all brought to life in the wonderful acoustics of the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw.
Gustav Mahler: All Symphonies – The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
After the two famous Mahler festivals in 1920 and 1995, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam is now presenting a special two-season Mahler series, which
includes ten large-scale symphonies, plus Das Lied von der Erde, performed in chronological order by the world’s greatest orchestra under the direction of great conductors – all brought to life in the wonderful acoustics of the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw.
Iván Fischer conducts Mahler 9
In 2023, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and their founder Iva´n Fisher celebrated 40 years together on stage. Mahler’s Ninth has been a staple in their joint repertoire, their interpretation being praised in particular for its straightforward clarity. At the Leipzig Gewandhaus, they deliver a breathtaking performance to standing ovations.