Mahler’s unusually expansive five-movement Symphony No. 7 is among the composer’s most ambiguous and enigmatic works, often regarded as his most challenging to perform. As part of the Wiener Philharmoniker’s acclaimed Subscription Concert Series, Andris Nelsons leads the orchestra in a new chapter of their Mahler cycle, reaffirming his stature as “one of the most celebrated conductors of our time” (Salzburger Nachrichten). Under his baton, the Seventh becomes “magic in the Golden Hall. […] Rarely has one heard this work so finely chiselled, so dynamically balanced. An event.” (Kurier)
Le nozze di Figaro
Barrie Kosky, one of the most innovative opera directors of our time, creates a new interpretation of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro at the Vienna State Opera with a very young ensemble: Andrè Schuen and Hanna-Elisabeth Müller in the roles of Count and Countess Almaviva, Peter Kellner as Figaro, Patricia Nolz as Cherubino. Susanna’s role is interpreted by both Ying Fang (acting) and Maria Nazarova (singing), as Ying Fang could not sing due to a vocal cord illness. Philippe Jordan conducts the Orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper and together they “deliver an ideal mixture of elegant lyricism and concentrated expression – each and every one” (Wiener Zeitung) // “Beauty and pointedness are combined in the noblest way.” (Der Standard) // “A triumph of Barrie Kosky’s directorial brilliance – hilarious yet deeply engaging and thought-provoking.” (klassik-begeistert.de)
Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler and Berg
In this concert, the Wiener Philharmoniker, conducted by Andris Nelsons, present a “heavenly” pairing: Alban Berg’s “Violin Concerto, To the Memory of an Angel”, alongside Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, whose final movement sets “Das himmlische Leben” (Heavenly Life) to music. With this performance, young German-American violinist August Hadelich gave his debut at the Salzburg Festival and thrilled the press: “The fabulous Augustin Hadelich filled the difficult solo part with emotion and fragility, his performance was sensitive and yet glowing.” (Die Presse). With Mahler’s Fourth, Andris Nelsons creates “a Mahler miracle of quiet tones” (Volksblatt), joined by German soprano Christiane Karg as the soloist of the finale. The concert is part of the Wiener Philharmoniker’s Mahler cycle with Nelsons. Program: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4; Alban Berg: Violin Concerto „To the Memory of an Angel”
Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler and Bartok
Andris Nelsons and the Wiener Philharmoniker explore the brilliance of Béla Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and the emotional depths of Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. Passionate but restrained, Andris Nelsons conducts both masterpieces with superb clarity and precision: Mahler’s famous Adagietto unfolds with “unreal shimmer and dark glow” (BR Klassik). Yefim Bronfman is the soloist in one of the most difficult piano concertos ever written and impresses with “impeccable technique, expressive power, and a touch of swing” (Der Standard). The concert is part of the Wiener Philharmoniker’s Mahler cycle with Andris Nelsons.
The Glass Menagerie – A ballet by John Neumeier
Discover the brilliance of the iconic John Neumeier in this captivating double feature. The Glass Menagerie, inspired by Tennessee Williams’ poignant drama, showcases Neumeier’s extraordinary talent for storytelling through movement. At the center of this production is renowned ballet dancer Alina Cojocaru, who inspired John Neumeier to create the piece. Together with the acclaimed Hamburg Ballet, she delivers a performance that dances on the heartstrings and lingers in the soul. Complementing this masterpiece is John Neumeier – A Life for Dance, Andreas Morell’s intimate documentary that offers a glimpse into the passion and vision of one of the greatest choreographers of our time. This edition is a must-have for dance enthusiasts and lovers of profound artistic expression.
Tancredi
With an outstanding cast and Jan Philipp Gloger’s innovative staging, Bregenzer Festspiele’s Tancredi becomes a fresh reimagining of Rossini’s opera, set in the world of organized crime and reframing the traditionally heterosexual love story as a queer romance. This bold reinterpretation is brought to life by Anna Goryachova and Mélissa Petit, whose performances capture the emotional depth and tragedy of their love. “The two women are sensational … both vocally and dramatically” (Augsburger Allgemeine). Under the baton of Yi-Chen Lin, the Wiener Symphoniker “throw themselves diligently into the opera’s multifaceted details“ (SWR). “Modern opera at its absolute finest!” (Kronenzeitung)
Lohengrin
The Wiener Staatsoper presents a Wagner classic staged by duo Jossi Wieler and Sergio Morabito, who showcase Lohengrin as a crime thriller with a twist. At the podium is Christian Thielemann, who more than proves his reputation as the Wagner-expert par excellence. On stage, David Butt Philip as the titular Lohengrin is a “heldentenor with radiance and stamina” (Kleine Zeitung), while Malin Byström portrays an Elsa who might not be as innocent as the libretto suggests and convinces with “dramatic furore” (Der Standard). Anja Kampe sings her Ortrud “beautifully, yet so expressively, with such diction” (Kurier) and Martin Gantner’s Telramund is “flawless in its precision” (News). / “When it comes to Wagner, Christian Thielemann really is in a class of his own” (Der Standard) / “The choirs were a force to be reckoned with, and the orchestra proved its outstanding quality in harmony with the great Wagnerian Thielemann” (Salzburger Nachrichten)
Turandot
It is an event that attracts thousands of music lovers to Verona every summer: the opera season in the ancient Roman Arena. Nearly 22,000 spectators regularly fill the amphitheater for the performances. The Arena di Verona honours Italian stage director and filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli and his legendary production of Turandot. His imposing cinematographic production reproduces imperial China thanks to its impressive scenery and scenes, enriched by the sumptuous costumes of the Oscar-winning Japanese costume designer Emi Wada. Everything helps to highlight the atmosphere of the drama of enigma per excellence, where life itself is in danger and the answer lies in love, which melts the protagonist’s icy heart. “Netrebko does not merely sing it: she interprets it. What emerges is a character much more human and ultimately truer than usual” (La Stampa)
New Year‘s Concert – Teatro la Fenice 2024
The Teatro La Fenice opened in 1792 and is one of the most renowned and most beautiful theaters in the world. First performed in 2004, the New Year’s Concert at Venice’s Teatro La Fenice celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024 with an extravagant program. Conducted by Maestro Fabio Luisi, this prestigious event features an exquisite blend of symphonic works and operatic masterpieces, including arias from operas such as Tosca, La traviata, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. Accompanied by beautiful ballet interludes and a lively tribute to the 70th anniversary of Italian television, soprano Eleonora Buratto and tenor Fabio Sartori shine on stage and ring in the New Year with a burst of joyous brilliance.
Jonas Kaufmann – The Sound of Movies
Accompanied by the renowned Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Kaufmann takes his audience on a cinematic journey that transcends the silver screen. From the romantic trains of “Where Do I Begin” from Love Story and the poignant “What a Wonderful World” from Good Morning, Vietnam to the evocative “Strangers in the Night” from A Man Could Get Killed, each performance embodies the essence of cinema’s most iconic moments. Spanning decades of cinematic history, this unforgettable program promises to captivate film and music lovers alike. “As an ardent film buff and singer I am naturally very receptive to all the vocal numbers that have been heard in soundtracks all over the world, which is why it was a particular pleasure for me to rummage in the treasury of film music in search of the most beautiful pieces. The result is The Sound of Movies, a collection of wonderful songs from over eighty years of cinematic history. Whether they are accompanied by moving pictures or treated as pure music, they have all found a place in my heart.” Jonas Kaufmann