CAPRICCIO
by Richard Strauss
Staged performance sung in German with English supertitles
World Premiere
Cologne Opera
Gürzenich Orchestra
Countess Gabriele Fontana
Count Ashley Holland
Flamand Hauke Möller
Olivier Johannes Beck
Markus Stenz Conductor
Christian von Götz Director
Gabriele Jaenecke Set designer
Capriccio Rehearsal Part 1
Capriccio Rehearsal Part 2
Capriccio Rehearsal Part 3
Capriccio cast in conversation Part 1
Capriccio cast in conversation Part 2
Which is more important: words or music? In the salon of her chateau, the young widow Countess Madeleine is torn between two lovers: the musician and the poet. As the two vie for her affections each attempts to convince her that his art is the more important. They are joined in the debate by a glamorous actress and a theatre director, among others, in a delightfully witty and charming evening that intelligently explores the attraction at the heart of opera as an entertainment. From the opening chords of the string sextet to the deliciously ambiguous ending as darkness falls, Capriccio has an urbane and frivolous air that is both comic and romantic. Poignant and bittersweet, this rarely performed opera contains some of Strauss’ most expressive and affecting music. Magnificent soprano Gabriele Fontana takes the central role in this world premiere.
A co-production between the Edinburgh International Festival and Opera Köln.
What the critics say:
Gabriele Fontana: ‘She is the undisputed heroine of the evening. From the moment she sets foot on stage she is hardly off it, and her first crystal clear notes transport us to a different emotional plane.’
- LE COURRIER
Gabriele Fontana: ‘She was magnificent... The natural sweetness in her voice permeated every moment, even at the height of her terrifying anguish...’
- THE SCOTSMAN
