Staatskapelle Dresden; Staatsopernchor Dresden Top-class soloists, the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Sachsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden present highlights from Lehar’s popular operetta The Land of Smiles. Besides a bittersweet love story, the piece offers one of the greatest operetta hits: “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz”. According to conductor Christian Thielemann “Operetta only becomes really good when it is performed at a very high level”, a challenge that the Staatskapelle Dresden together with Jane Archibald, Erin Morley and Pavol Breslik masters impressively.
Festive Advent Concert at the Frauenkirche Dresden 2019
The Festive Advent Concert has become a much loved tradition in Dresden and one of German TV’s biggest classical music success stories. With the spirited Alondra de la Parra a phenomenal young conductor stands at the rostrum of the Staatskapelle Dresden. She is joined by sopranos Regula Mühlemann and Julia Muzychenko as well as tenor Julian Prégardien, presenting works and arias from Handel to Haydn, Schubert and Tchaikovsky to Reger. “A programme with quiet, contemplative passages and almost breathtaking emotional highlights, as well as dramaturgically coherent: a true gift” (Sächsische Zeitung).
The Odeonsplatz Concert: Gergiev & Florez
Munich’s Odeonsplatz Concert is one of the open-air highlights of the year. The magnificent Residenz Palace on one side and the serene, towering Theatinerkirche on the other provide the ideal backdrop for exceptional performances of classical music. In this setting, Juan Diego Flórez presents an impressive aria programme, for which “he is celebrated like a popstar” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) by the Munich public. The Münchner Philharmoniker shine with their maestro Valery Gergiev at the helm. Arias by Mozart, Donizetti, Massenet, Puccini, Verdi; Rimskij-Korsakow: Scheherazade
Festive Advent Concert at the Frauenkirche Dresden 2018
The Festive Advent Concert has become a much loved tradition in Dresden and one of German TV’s biggest classical music success stories. In 2018, conductor Lorenzo Viotti, the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Staatsopernchor join forces with soprano Hanna-Elisabeth Müller and violinist Daniel Hope to present a programme ranging from Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G Major to excerpts from Rossini’s “Petite messe solennelle” and sacral works by Mendelssohn and Reger.
Festive Gala from the Semperoper Dresden 2018 – J. Strauss: The Bat
In this gala evening from the Semperoper Dresden Franz Welser-Möst brings his incomparable musicianship to the most Viennese of all operettas, Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Die Fledermaus”. The concert version shines with a distinguished cast headed by star tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Eisenstein, Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Rosalinde and Elisabeth Kulman as Prince Orlofsky. A sparkling production full of fizz and subtle humor.
The Odeonsplatz Concert: Gilbert & Fleming
Nestled in the historic city centre of Munich, the Odeonsplatz provides the perfect venue for one of the open-air highlights of the year: “Klassik am Odeonsplatz”! This time one of the greatest opera stars of our days, soprano Renée Fleming is joining the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Alan Gilbert’s baton. PROGRAM Songs by Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Bernstein, von Flotow; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5
The Odeonsplatz Concert: Macelaru & Damrau
Leonard Bernstein: Candide – Overture; Jules Massenet: “Suis je gentille ainsi? Allons, il le faut…” from the opera “Manon”; Jules Massenet: Thaïs: Méditation; Erik Satie: Gymnopédies 1 and 3 (orchestrated by Debussy); Charles Gounod: “Un bouquet..Ah, je ris de..” from the opera “Faust”; Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No 9 E minor, op 95 – “From the New World”
Festive Gala from the Semperoper Dresden – 100th Anniversary of UFA
The Festive Gala at the Semperoper Dresden brings back the splendour of UFA Film for one scintillating night full of famous melodies. Christian Thielemann and his Staatskapelle Dresden together with outstanding singers Angela Denoke, Elisabeth Kulman und Daniel Behle pay homage to the hit songs of the so-called dream factory, which dominated the German film industry from 1917 to 1945, and produced classics like “Metropolis”, “The Three from the Filling Station” and “The Blue Angel”. Created in the first half of the 20th century, the UFA productions are marked by the ambivalence of culture and politics that is characteristic for this part of German history. For ZDF and the artists, the concert offers the chance for a deliberate, critical review of the “film dreams” of the past and the undeniable “dissonances” of the nation’s history.
Handel in Concert – Patrizia Ciofi & Donna Leon
Fearless in the face of death, unflinching in their love, ruthless in their revenge: the women in Handel’s operas are anything but one-dimensional. Italian coloratura soprano Patrizia Ciofi and the Baroque ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro, led by Maxim Emelyanychev, perform the most powerful and moving arias from Handel’s operas. Together with bestselling author and Handel enthusiast Donna Leon they set out to discover the women’s stories. When Rodelinda becomes a veritable goddess of revenge, Ciofi interprets her great aria “Morrai, si” with dramatic ferocity. In Alcina (1735), the heroine has the power to bewitch the whole world around her, but none over her own heart. Ciofi emotionally commits to Alcina’s desperate arias, “Ah, Ruggero crudel… Ombre pallide” and “Ah, mio cor”, showcasing the tragedy of the narrative. “An original and electrifying spectacle!” (ForumOpera)
Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov at the Waldbühne Berlin
Returning to the stage where she achieved immense success, Anna Netrebko delivers a stunning performance of the most beautiful arias and duets from Italian Opera at the Waldbühne Berlin. For a magical night at the spectacular amphitheatre, the Russian star soprano is joined by Yusif Eyvazov. Being not only her partner on stage but also in life, the internationally acclaimed Azerbaijani tenor shines in beloved arias such as “Nessun dorma” from Turandot, whilst superstar Netrebko brings Verdi’s Macbeth and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi to life. The night’s repertoire also features several love songs by Igor Krutoy. The renowned Russian composer wrote the romantic pieces specifically for this “dream-team of the opera” (Berliner Morgenpost). The emotional opera duets and the contemporary Russian songs blend perfectly in the joyful and romantic atmosphere of this musical summer night’s dream by Netrebko and Eyvazov who “took Berlin by storm” (Opera Wire).