Closing Concert: Capriccio

Malin Byström leads superb cast for Richard Strauss' final opera.

Which is the greater, music or poetry? The arts-loving Countess Madeleine struggles to find the answer – and to choose between her two suitors, the tender composer Flamand and the fiery poet Olivier.

Written at the height of the Second World War, Richard Strauss’s final opera Capriccio pays tribute to many of the composer’s operatic predecessors. Notable for its wit and dynamism, highlights include the soulful opening String Sextet and the lyrical closing monologue, in which Countess Madeleine meditates on the inseparability of music and poetry.

This is a magnificent work with a superb cast led by Malin Byström – a much admired Salome at the 2022 Festival – in the lead role as Countess Madeleine. The opera was to be conducted by world-renowned conductor Sir Andrew Davis, but very sadly he has recently passed away. Sir Andrew was a much loved and regular performer at the Festival over his five-decade career and he will be greatly missed.

Alternative arrangements for the performance will be announced in due course.

Capriccio is performed as an opera in concert, with a maximalist approach to vocals, and a minimalist approach to costume and set design. Learn more about operas in concert [https://www.eif.co.uk/news-and-blogs/what-is-an-opera-in-concert].

BUY STANDARD PRICE TICKETS FOR THREE OR MORE OPERAS AND GET 20% OFF. EXCLUDES CONCESSIONS AND TOP-PRICE TICKETS, MORE DETAILS OVER ON BOOKING INFO [https://www.eif.co.uk/events/closing-concert-capriccio#booking-info].

BUY STANDARD PRICE TICKETS FOR ALL THREE PHILHARMONIA EVENING CONCERTS AT USHER HALL AND GET 20% OFF. EXCLUDES CONCESSIONS AND TOP-PRICE TICKETS, MORE DETAILS OVER ON BOOKING INFO [https://www.eif.co.uk/events/closing-concert-capriccio#booking-info].

Supported by PIRIE RANKIN EIF ENDOWMENT FUND and SHEILA COLVIN

With additional support from

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

MALIN BYSTRÖM Countess

BO SKOVHUS Count

SEBASTIAN KOHLHEPP Flamand

JOSHUA HOPKINS Olivier

PETER ROSE La Roche

DAME SARAH CONNOLLY Clairon

EMILY BIRSAN Italian Singer

JOHN IRVIN Italian Singer

REINHARD HAGEN Major Domo

STRAUSS Capriccio