Everything changed for Sergei Rachmaninoff after 1917. As a result of the October Revolution, power impinged directly on his life – and on his art. The new political conditions forced him to leave his Russian homeland and flee into exile in the West. In order to earn a living, he had to perform for the most part as a piano virtuoso, constantly touring Europe and America. Which meant he had hardly any time left over to compose. The program with which Riccardo Chailly and his Lucerne Festival Orchestra open the 2019 Summer Festival orbits around this turning point in Rachmaninoff’s life, pairing the legendary Third Piano Concerto, written in Russia in 1909, with the melancholy Third Symphony, which he created as an émigré in Hertenstein near Lucerne in 1935-36. PROGRAM Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto Nr. 3; Symphony No. 3; Vocalise op. 34 No. 14
Nabucco
Under the direction of Andreas Homoki, this new production features a first-class cast: Catherine Naglestad and Michael Volle debut in the roles of Abigaille and Nabucco respectively, while the German bass Georg Zeppenfeld portrays Zaccaria. Music Director Fabio Luisi conducts the Philharmonia Zürich.
Nelsons conducts Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich
In May 2019, the principal conductor of the Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons, presented Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in combination with Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with outstanding violinist Baiba Skride as the soloist. With this choice of program, Andris Nelsons continued the Tchaikovsky cycle with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, which he had started as part of the concert series that surrounded his inauguration as Gewandhauskapellmeister in February 2018. PROGRAM Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; Shostakovich: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
I am from Austria
The Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (VBW) hit-musical I AM FROM AUSTRIA has evolved to a brilliant public success – over 20 hits by Rainhard Fendrich such as “Macho Macho”, “Es lebe der Sport”, “Strada del Sole” and of course the title song “I Am From Austria” have been spun together by an original plot telling the story of an internationally successful Austrian film star, who returns to Vienna to attend the famous annual Opera Ball. A magnificent set, thrilling choreographies and dazzling costumes take you behind the scenes of a Viennese luxury hotel – chaos, kisses and catastrophes included. Let yourself be inspired by the turbulent story of love, friendship and family and look forward to a spectacular musical evening full of romance, surprises and hilarious comedy of the situation.
Avicii Tribute Concert – for Mental Health Awareness
19 of the original singers on Avicii’s biggest tracks, including Aloe Blacc, Adam Lambert, Alex Ebert, Rita Ora and Joe Janiak, came together with a 30 pc band to perform a two hour headline set of his original music on December 5 at the Friends Arena in Stockholm – in front of 58.163 fans! – for the Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness. The Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness was the first time that most of Avicii’s greatest tracks have ever been performed live and also the first time that so many of the singers and collaborators whose performances and productions made his music so special, gathered together in one historic moment to perform his music. “Tim had plans for his music to be performed together with a large live band, and now we are realizing his dream and giving fans a chance to experience his music in this unique way,” says Klas Bergling, Tim’s father.
Il Volo – Live in Matera
The phenomenally successful operatic-pop trio has been filling arenas and stadiums worldwide; now celebrating their 10th anniversary with a concert in the spectacular setting of Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019, singing some of the most famous traditional classic songs in Italian and English, that delighted fans worldwide: from ‘Il Mondo’, to ‘Love Story’, from ‘May Way’ to ‘O sole mio’, from ‘Smile’ to ‘Nessun Dorma’.
Yo-Yo Ma plays Bach
In 2018, Yo-Yo Ma began a two-year journey, setting out to perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for solo cello in one sitting, across 36 locations on 6 continents. For Yo-Yo, Bach’s 300-hundred-year-old music is one extraordinary example of how culture connects us and can help us to imagine and build a better future. In an unforgettable experience the 19 times Grammy ® Award winner and internationally acclaimed cellist performed the Cello Suites at the overwhelming Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. Yo-Yo Ma says: “These suites are so meaningful. They’re not only companions and friends, but they’ve also been reference points in my life”. “Soft sounds around me suggested that others were caught up in similarly strong emotions. How Ma has this effect on people is a mystery: I suspect it has to do with the warmth he brings to music that is fundamentally beyond comprehension. He makes the godlike human.” Alex Ross, The New Yorker
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
The legendary tenors José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, together with conductor Zubin Mehta, celebrated the finale to soccer’s 1994 World Cup with a live concert described as “probably the biggest single musical event in history”. Brought together for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, The 3 Tenors and Mehta joined forces again, this time in Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium on July 16th 1994 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Music Center Opera Chorus, to perform a selection of operatic arias and international favourites specially orchestrated by composer/arranger Lalo Schifrin. The result is an outstanding film, reflecting a unique event, featuring three legendary performers who share a united passion for opera and football.
Aida Garifullina at Teatro Colón
The Russian-Austrian soprano singer has dedicated her life of the world of opera and songs. Aida Garifullina is acclamind as the next Netrebko – since her stunning performance for the football world championship 2018 and in the film „Florence Foster Jenkins“. She is a popular star, film star and Instagram star. Aida slips into the role of Norma, Juliette, Rusalka, the Snow Maiden – and is dressed up in harnd-tailored couture dresses. Arias and songs from France, Russia, Italy & Argentina
LSO: Antonio Pappano and Seong-Jin Cho
Beethoven’s defiant Symphony No 5 meets the sneering mockery of Shostakovich and Prokofiev in exhilarating mood. In 1945, Soviet authorities expected Shostakovich to use his Ninth Symphony to celebrate Soviet military might. What they got was a subversive, mischievous work that thumbed its nose at Stalin. Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 2 is one of the most powerful and technically challenging of all. Listen out for moments in the opening movement that test the soloist’s stamina to its limits, and a helter-skelter finale that never lets up. Fate rules over Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, a revolutionary work that grows to dramatic, sublime heights from the simple germ of its opening four notes. The LSO is joined by South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, Sir Antonio Pappano, LSO Chief Conductor, conducts. PROGRAM Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2; Beethoven: Symphony No. 5