Deutsche Opera Berlin

Ulf Schirmer, conductor

Gotz Friederich director

Ofelia Sala (Sophie)

Noemi Nadelmann (Marschallin)

Antigone Papoulkas (Oktavian)

Kurt Rydl (Ochs)

Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of Rose), Richard Strauss' second collaboration with the librettist HofMannsthal produced the wittiest comedy since Figaro over a century earlier. Since its premiere in 1911, this has become the most popular of all Strauss' operas-and with reason. The noble Marschallin, and the way she approaches the end of her affair with the impetuous Oktavian has been recognized as one of the greatest female portraits in the operatic canon. No less endearing (in a different way) is the bumbling Baron Ochs whose attempted seduction of the disguised Octavian caused his downfall.

The enduring appeal of this work rests on three important factors: an abundance of beautiful melody, a refined elegant style, and the fascinating character of the Marschallin. Der Rosenkavalier is a truly remarkable romantic comedy enveloped in an aura of nostalgia wonderfully re-created by Hofmannsthal's text and Strauss's music.

Remarks: Tickets for Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier are available now!