Richard Strauss: Capriccio (ROH, 2013 - Fleming et al.)

[Nick Armstrong]

I found myself held in thrall by this re-broadcast this evening, of the concert performance conducted by Andrew Davis at Covent Garden. I was interested to hear Ms Fleming and Mr Gerhaher, but the music soon drew me in hook, line and sinker. It's probably the opera I know best (following total immersion years ago), but it's a long time since I've listened to it. I think i'd be very happy if I were told I could never listen again to any other opera.

Anyone else love every note of it?

[Flay]

It was a total coincidence that I chose the word Capriccio on AA this morning. I had never heard of it before (to my shame) and was enchanted by its string sextet which I heard today on YouTube. I had missed it on the schedule but will not miss it on the iPlayer

[Nick Armstrong]

Just about every bar is full of felicitous little nuances, modulations, quotes ... plus, yes, the gorgeous set-pieces, like the opening sextet, the closing scene (Countess, solo), and the final orchestral phrases...

...plus the interlude ushering in the final scene, the other 'Moonlight'-entitled piece.

Here it is, a performance I'd never heard before just now! played by Rudolf Kempe and the Dresden Staatskapelle (solo horn, the inimitable Peter Damm)

[teamsaint]

Just about every bar is full of felicitous little nuances, modulations, quotes ... plus, yes, the gorgeous set-pieces, like the opening sextet, the closing scene (Countess, solo), and the final orchestral phrases...

...plus the interlude ushering in the final scene, the other 'Moonlight'-entitled piece.

Here it is, a performance I'd never heard before just now! played by Rudolf Kempe and the Dresden Staatskapelle (solo horn, the inimitable Peter Damm)

Very odd...I cant see the link in your post, until I "reply with quote"...... When it suddenly appears !!!!!

Edit: was looking on my ipad, but on my laptop the link appears fine !

[Belgrove]

I attended the night this was recorded. A sweltering July evening, hotfoot from Lord's where England had defeated Australia on the 4th day (those were the days!)

It was a lovely performance and so nice to see the ROH orchestra on the stage. They were in an acoustic shell which produced a much warmer sound than was captured in the recording. Renee Fleming certainly looked glamorous and alluring, but did not quite attain the wistfulness and radiance the part demands. I recall the undoubted highlight was Peter Rose's La Roche, who gave a rousing defence of the art of the theatre director in saving the indifferent material of author and composer. A stimulus, possibly, for Martin Kusej?

[amateur51]

Dunno about the opera, but bags I Strauss's desk - lovely piece of furniture