Details

Vienna, in the golden age of the Empress Maria Theresa. The Feldmarschallin, beautiful and married, has a besotted young lover, Count Octavian. But Octavian is half her age, and the Feldmarschallin knows that one day she must give him up to a younger woman. How soon will that time come? When the boorish Baron Ochs charges Octavian to present a silver rose (a traditional engagement gift) on his behalf, Octavian comes face to face with the delightful Sophie; the Feldmarschallin is the first to realise what is going on. Bittersweet, erotic and tenderly compassionate, John Schlesinger's refined and detailed production of Stauss's great comedy of love and 18th century manners returns to The Royal Opera's repertory after an absence of five years. Christian Thielemann, widely acclaimed for his interpretations of German late Romantic music, conducts the opera for the first time at Covent Garden.

Cast/Performers

Renee Fleming (The Marschallin), Anna Tomowa-Sintow (The Marschallin 3 / 6 / 10 April), Susan Graham (Octavian), Monica Groop (Octavian 3 / 6 / 10 April), Christine Schafer (Sophie), Camilla Tilling (Sophie 3 / 6 / 10 April), Franz Hawlata (Baron Ochs), Donald Maxwell (Faninal), Georg Tichy (Fininal 3 / 6 / 10 April), Tito Beltran (Italian Singer), Leah-Marian Jones (Annina), Robin Leggate (Valzacchi), Peter Hoare (Valzacchi 3 / 6 / 10 April), Kate Flowers (Marianne), Gordon Sandison (Notary), Peter Wedd (Major-Domo to the Marschallin), Peter Auty (Major-Domo to the Marschallin), Jenny Grahn (Milliner), Jeffrey Stewart (Major-Domo to Faninal), Jeremy White (Police Commissary), Roderick Earle (Police Commissary), Peter Bronder (Innkeeper)

Creatives/Company

Music: Strauss
Lyrics: Hofmannsthal
Company: Royal Opera
Conductor(s): Christian Thielemann, Simone Young (3 / 6 / 10 April)
Director: John Schlesinger
Design: William Dudley
Costume: Maria Bjornson
Lighting: Robert Bryan