Munich’s court theater was the venue for the premiere of Mozart’s ‘Idomeneo’ on 29 January 1781; today, it hosts another premiere of this same work, now to celebrate the reopening of this sparkling Rococo gem of a theater, now known after its architect as the Cuvilliés Theater. Restored at the cost of over 25 million euros, the theater provides an exultant red, gold and white setting for Mozart’s opera seria, which is considered as the first of the seven uncontested masterworks of Mozart’s dramatic oeuvre. In the title role, John Mark Ainsley tackles his demanding lines with impressive firmness. Idamante, a role usually sung by a contralto, is rivetingly portrayed by the tenor Pavol Breslik. As Ilia, Juliane Banse glows with tenderness, the opposite of Annette Dasch’s darkly simmering Elettra.
Festive Advent Concert at the Frauenkirche Dresden 2012
Program: J.S.BACH: Orchestra Suite No. 4: Réjouissance / G. F. HANDEL: Messiah: “Alle Tale macht hoch erhaben”, “Denn die Herrlichkeit Gottes des Herrn”, “Halleluja” / W. KIENZL: Weihnacht (Kulman) / W. A. MOZART: Great Mass in C minor: Gloria in excelsis Deo, Laudamus te / A. BRUCKNER: Locus iste (Chor a cappella) / J. MASSENET, Méditation aus „Thais“ / MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY: Weihnachtskantate „Vom Himmel hoch“ / E. HUMPERDINCK: Christmas Cantata: “Vom Himmel hoch”, Hänsel und Gretel: Abendsegen und Traumpantomime, CH. GOUNOD: Saint Cecilia Mass: Sanctus
Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, op.45
Salzburg Festival 2013: Dudamel conducts Mahler 8 “Symphony of a Thousand”
The “Mahler Cycle” of Salzburg Festival 2013 is opened by Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E flat conducted by Gustavo Dudamel who leads “his” Simón Bolívar National Youth Orchestra & Choir of Venezuela, joined by a cast of internationally acclaimed soloists. The concert is also part of the visionary and exemplary project EL Sistema (The Miracle), based on the visionary idea of giving children a better future through classical music by building a network of children orchestras and music centres.
Claudio Abbado conducts Beethoven’s Music to Egmont and Mozart’s Requiem at Lucerne Festival
The opening of the Lucerne Festival 2012, Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra in the first part present a most powerful composition dedicated to Goethe’s hero Egmont, the Incidental Music to ‘Egmont’ by Beethoven. The second part of the program includes Mozart’s last composition, the Requiem in D Minor, which was left unfinished due to the early death of the composer.
Lucerne Festival 2016: Inaugural Concert of Riccardo Chailly – Mahler 8
“To be responsible for this outstanding artistic project that Claudio Abbado has initiated is not only a privilege but it has touched me deeply.” These are the very words Riccardo Chailly uses to describe his new job in Lucerne. The conductor, who left his post as music director of the Gewandhaus Leipzig and became principal conductor at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan last year, follows in this new position Arturo Toscanini and Claudio Abbado, thus becoming the third chief conductor of this unique orchestra. On August 12, 2016, Riccardo Chailly premiered as conductor of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra with an opening concert: The orchestra and its principal conductor paid their respects to the late Abbado with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. An inaugural concert that with its superb cast of musicians became a memorable event!
Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra – A special feature in celebration of the maestro’s 80th birthday!
On the occasion of Claudio Abbado’s 80th birthday in June 2013, this special feature throws a glance at Abbado’s work with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra. The close connection between the orchestra and its conductor is documented by excerpts from rehearsals and concert recordings as well as personal interviews with the maestro talking about composers, his approach to their works and the collaboration with the orchestra. —– With excerpts from: Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART “Haffner Symphony” and Requiem (featuring René Pape), Anton BRUCKNER Symphony No. 1, Gustav MAHLER Symphony No. 9 and Adagio from Symphony No. 10, Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Incidental Music to Goethe’s Tragedy “Egmont” featuring Juliane Banse and Bruno Ganz.