In June 2010, André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performed a captivating open-air concert on the picturesque island of Mainau, nestled in Lake Constance. Set against the backdrop of the baroque castle owned by the Bernadotte family, the event, titled Roses from the South, showcased a delightful blend of classical waltzes, operetta favorites, and timeless melodies. The concert was recorded for a television special and reached an estimated 80 million viewers worldwide.
RCO: Kerstmatinee 2025
The Christmas Matinee turns fifty this year! Klaus Mäkelä conducts an enjoyable concert full of twilight tints, nocturnal whispers and tales from distant lands. Experience the fabulous stories from the One Thousand and One Nights in Rimsky-Korsakov’s sultry Sheherazade , the solo violin running through the work like a golden thread. Less well-known but just as compelling is the symphonic poem Lydische nacht by Alphons Diepenbrock, who is considered the most important Dutch composer of the late-Romantic period. Who wouldn’t feel for a shepherd all alone in the darkness with his turbulent inner world and the cool, impassive moon…
RCO: Järvi conducts Khachaturian & Stravinsky
The Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi is in his element with repertoire from Northern and Eastern Europe, and this programme features three such works. Vesper (Poem) by his compatriot Ester Mägi, ‘the first lady of Estonian music’, is a poetic work for strings inspired by St John’s Church in Tallinn. The Khachaturian Piano Concerto is proof that colourful, vibrant music was indeed written in the Soviet era. The work is imbued with the influence of Armenian folk music. And to add to the exotic atmosphere, the piano is accompanied by a musical saw in the middle movement! The work is grist to Jean-Yves Thibaudet’s mill, a pianist who for decades has excelled in original repertoire. Finally, there’s Petrushka, Stravinsky’s exuberant ballet music about a marionette who comes to life, falls in love and wreaks havoc on a Russian carnival. Listeners need no sets or dancers to see the story unfold before them, and the colourful music lets all the members of the orchestra shine. PROGRAM Mägi: Vesper; Khatchatourian: Piano Concerto; Stravinsky: Petrushka
The Henri Mancini Gala at Hollywood Bowl
With a spectacular 100th birthday celebration, musical legends and longtime friends—including the legendary John Williams, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Wicked film star Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, James Galway, Dave Koz, and Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé—honour the legacy of composer, conductor, arranger, pianist, and flautist Henry Mancini. This tribute, set at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, features unforgettable performances, film excerpts enriched by his music, and behind-the-scenes footage from the recording of the 100th-anniversary album with renowned musicians, the LA Philharmonic, and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Interviews with stars from Mancini-scored films add a personal touch, while heartfelt tributes come from his daughter, singer Monica Mancini, and Quincy Jones, in what marks his final televised appearance. A 20-time Grammy Award winner and four-time Academy Award recipient, Mancini shaped the sound of Hollywood with iconic scores for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, Days of Wine and Roses, Victor/Victoria, Charade, and Two for the Road. He conducted at the Hollywood Bowl 29 times, leaving an indelible mark on its stage. Now,
the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Thomas Wilkins, returns to this cherished venue for a moving concert celebrating his extraordinary legacy.