大象传媒

Richard Strauss's Capriccio
Live from the Metropolitan Opera
Presented by Margaret Juntwait with guest commentator Ira Siff.

In Strauss's last opera, a poet and a musician vie for the attentions of a young widowed countess. It opens with a string sextet prelude, the work of the hopeful young composer, Flamand. The poet Olivier is preparing a new play for the Countess's birthday celebrations, and the two love rivals argue on a sensitive subject: which is of primary importance artistically - words or music? The Countess finds it impossible to choose between her two suitors. In one of Strauss's most intimate operas, he explores the nature of his own art.

Countess ..... Renee Fleming (soprano)
Clairon ..... Sarah Connolly (mezzo soprano)
Flamand ..... Joseph Kaiser (tenor)
Olivier ..... Russell Braun (tenor)
The Count ..... Morten Frank Larsen (bass-baritone)
La Roche ..... Peter Rose (bass)
Monsieur Taupe ..... Bernard Fitch (tenor)
Italian Singer ..... Olga Makarina (soprano)
Italian Singer ..... Barry Banks (tenor)
The Major-Domo ..... Michael Devin (bass)

New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus
conductor Andrew Davis.