Arabella at the Salzburg Easter Festival

Photo: © Forster

Renée Fleming sings the title role in a new production of Richard Strauss’ Arabella, a highlight of the Salzburg Easter Festival, April 12 and 21. The Festival performances of Strauss’ music celebrate the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Renée is joined by a magnificent cast and creative team, including Thomas Hampson as Mandryka, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller as Zdenka and Daniel Behle as Matteo. Christian Thielemann leads the Staatskapelle Dresden, and Florentine Klepper directs this new production, which stunningly captures Vienna’s Golden Age.

Ms. Fleming received rave reviews for her previous portrayals of Arabella, which “she sang with the plush sound, sublime lyricism and dramatic subtlety that have endeared her to opera lovers” (New York Times) and her signature “ … creamy soprano tone … fills the soaring lyrical phrases.” (Opera News)

This is Ms. Fleming and Mr. Hampson’s first time performing Arabella together in its entirety. For a preview, enjoy this video excerpt of Renée and Thomas and singing the duet “Und du wirst mein Gebieter sein” from Arabella with the Berlin Philharmonic in 2011, also lead by Christian Thielemann.

Arabella will be broadcast live on 3sat on April 12 at 8:15pm (Central European time).