This Saturday at 1 pm, the Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Richard Strauss's imperial Der Rosenkavalier, starring soprano Amanda Majeski as the Marschallin and mezzo-soprano Alice Coote as her younger lover, Octavian. Edward Gardner conducts this performance.
The opera, with its libretto by Hugo von Hoffmanstal, incorporates competing interests of love, class and social mores during the fall of the Hapsburg Empire. It begins the morning after the Marschallin and Octavian have spent a lusty night together. Into the scene steps Baron Ochs, bragging of his forthcoming engagement to the young and soon-to-be wealthy heiress, Sophie. However, when Octavian presents Sophie with a silver rose on behalf of the baron, the she falls madly in love with the rose bearer.
By the end of the opera, the Baron gets his comeuppance and the Marschallin steps aside so that Octavian and Sophie can pursue their newfound romance.
Click below to hear WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon's three-minute take on this beloved Strauss classic.
Cast:
Marschallin: Amanda Majeski
Octavian: Alice Coote
Sophie: Christina Landshamer
Baron Ochs: Matthew Rose
Faninal: Martin Gantner
A Singer: René Barbera
Annina: Megan Marino
Conductor: Edward Gardner