When Grace Bumbry performed Carmen under Karajan in 1966/67, she was the shooting star of the international opera scene. Her career almost seems like a fairy tale: Due to racial segregation, she could not begin her studies at the St. Louis Institute of Music in the USA, although she had already won a radio competition at the age of 17. Against this background, one has to see her later triumphs. She celebrated her breakthrough in Bayreuth, where Wieland Wagner brought her for his Tannhäuser and where the press praised her as the “black Venus” and the audience clapped her in front of the curtain 40 times. Many have had great careers. Grace Bumbry’s was more than that: it was significant – and Carmen was one of her finest moments.
Salzburg Festival 2024: Mozart Matinee with Fischer & Sternath
Hungarian born Adam Fischer is one of the most important conductors working today, chief conductor of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker. He joins this Mozart Matinee in company of pianist Lukas Sternath, winner of several international piano competitions such as 63rd International Ferruccio Busoni Piano Competition in Bolzano, the 14th International Schubert Competition in Dortmund and the 17th European Piano Competition in Bremen. Program: Mozart: Maurerische Trauermusik in C minor K. 477 (479a); Piano Concerto in D minor K. 466 (solo cadenzas by Ludwig van Beethoven); Symphony in C major K. 425 — ’Linz’.
Daniele Gatti conducts Stravinsky & Shostakovich
Featuring two contrasting pieces that could not be more different, Daniele Gatti leads the Wiener Philharmoniker in one of their exclusive subscription concerts. Stravinsky’s rarely performed ballet suite Apollon Musagète starts off the concert, in which Gatti “carefully and objectively brings out Stravinsky’s neoclassical style as in a copperplate engraving” (Kurier). After, the Wiener Philharmoniker take on the masterpiece that is Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 in E minor, “bringing the dystopian crescendos of the first movement to bear just as grippingly as the steamhammer scherzo and the happy ending. The wind solos are inspired across the board, from the clarinet lament to a warm Mahler horn to the final bassoon jubilation: cheers at the Musikverein” (Der Standard). PROGRAM: Stravinsky – Apollon Musagète, ballet suite; Shostakovich – Symphonie Nr. 10, Op. 93
The Vienna Christmas Concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral
From traditional Christmas carols to John Williams soundtracks – the Vienna Christmas Concert in Vienna’s grand St. Stephen’s cathedral is sure to put anybody in a festive mood! This edition features French conductor Stéphane Denève at the helm of the Wiener Symphoniker and the Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, presenting a programme that spans the gamut of festive music, including Mozart’s Laudate Dominum with soprano Rosa Feola, to Saint- Saëns’ Ave Maria with mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, pieces from Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and chorus hits from the beloved Christmas film Home Alone
Popelka conducts Dvorak and Strauss
Together with the Wiener Symphoniker and cellist Gautier Capuçon, Petr Popelka proves to be “a conductor who knows how to unleash storms” (Kurier). First, Capuçon shines with a repertoire favourite – Antonin Dvorák’s cello concerto in B minor. “In the midst of the marvellously accompanying symphony orchestra, he was able to showcase all his skills and, above all, his stunningly full-bodied instrument” (Die Presse). What followed in the second half was equally brilliant with Strauss’ tone poems Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche: The Dream Team captivated the audience with their exuberant joy of playing and a cornucopia of sound…enchanting changes of mood and tempo, magical moments of calm, poetry and light-footed mischief: it was all there” (Der Standard). PROGRAM: Dvorak – Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104; Strauss – Don Juan, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Daniel Harding conducts the Münchner Philharmoniker
From the Musikverein in Vienna, Renaud Capuçon is joined by the Münchner Philharmoniker and conductor Daniel Harding the first Austrian performance of his compatriot Thierry Escaich’s new Violin Concerto No. 2. A work of great drive and rhythmic vitality, it is coupled here with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 “Romantic” whose opening – with its horn theme intoned against shimmering strings – sets the scene for one of the composer’s most popular works, and a familar calling card for Harding, a conductor celebrated in this repertoire. PROGRAM: Escaich – Concerto for violin and orchestra (commissioned work and world premiere); Bruckner – Symphony No. 4 in E flat major
Grafenegg: Midsummer Night’s Gala 2024
Ringing in the summer festival season every year, the Midsummer Night’s Gala is the Grafenegg Festival’s flagship event bringing internationally renowned performers to the Wolkenturm stage. This edition features Swiss soprano Regula Mühlemann and Samoan tenor Pene Pati, ” two wonderfully radiant voices” (k.at), and accordion player Martynas Levickis. Conductor Marta Gardolinska and the Tonkunstler-Orchestra present highlights from Smetana’s Bartered Bride, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Verdi’s Macbeth as well as traditional Lithuanian and Maori folk songs. Martynas Levickis highlighted new and exciting facets of old audience favourite with his accordion arrangement of Bizet’s Carmen Suite. A worthy start to the festival summer!
Salzburg Festival 2024: Maxime Pascal conducts Nono and Dallapiccola
The Salzburg Festival features an extraordinary concert of Nono’s *Il canto sospeso*, which leaves the audience “speechless.” The composition, based on farewell letters from political prisoners, narrates actor Tobias Moretti amidst challenging music executed flawlessly by Maxime Pascal, the RSO, and the Bayerischer Rundfunkchor. The second half showcases Dallapiccola’s *Il prigionero*, with baritone Georg Nigl delivering a powerful performance. The concert concludes with the audience giving both reverent applause and standing ovations. “The burning humanity of Nono’s vision seemed to possess all who listened (and played)”(Seen and Heard)
Salzburg Festival 2024: Mozart Matinee with Gonzalez-Monjas & Pogorelc
The rising American soprano Emily Pogorelc is considered one of the most gifted singers of her generation, and is celebrated for her captivating stage presence. Under the baton of the new appointed conductor of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Roberto González-Monjas, an entire Mozart program is presented to the audience of Salzburg Festival. Program: W. A. Mozart, Ballet music to the opera Idomeneo K. 367 (extracts); Se il padre perdei, Ilia’s aria from the oprera Idomeneo K. 366; Solitudini amiche — Zeffiretti lusinghieri, Ilia’s recitative and aria from the oprea Idomeneo K. 366;Entr’actes to the drama Thamos, König in Ägypten K. 345 (336a,; Schon lacht der holde Frühling, Aria for soprano and orchestra K. 580; Voi avete un cor fedele, Aria for soprano and orchestra K. 217; Bella mia fiamma, addio — Resta, o cara, Recitative and aria for soprano and orchestra K. 528
Salzburg Festival 2024: Dudamel & Grigorian – Vienna Philharmonic
The promise of a Strauss double-bill with the Wiener Philharmoniker would be enough to have most concertgoers swooning – add in audience favourite Asmik Grigorian and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, and the Salzburg audience could not be more ecstatic. Grigorian interpreted Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder with “penetrating intensity” (VN), capturing the fleeting emotions of each song: “She effortlessly savours Strauss’s soaring flights of fancy and lavishes herself on his wide-ranging cantilenas” (BR Klassik). After this moving performance, Dudamel and the orchestra take the audience on a musical hike with Strauss’ tone poem Eine Alpensinfonie. “Gustavo Dudamel’s interpretation…is so vividly real. The orchestra once again delivers a brilliant performance of expressive, joyfully committed playing” (Opera Online).